balsam poplar

American  

noun

1. a North American tree, Populus balsamifera, having sticky, resinous buds and shiny ovate leaves.

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balsam poplar British  

noun

1. a poplar tree, Populus balsamifera , of NE North America, having resinous buds and broad heart-shaped leaves See also tacamahac

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Etymology

Origin of balsam poplar

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90

Example Sentences

A few trees of the balsam poplar, Populus tacamahaca Mill., are found in Lake County near the shores of Lake Michigan.

From Forest Trees of Illinois How to Know Them by Fuller George D.

But on a street, where the repression of pavements and sidewalks interferes with this exuberance, the balsam poplar is well worth planting.

From Getting Acquainted with the Trees by McFarland, J. Horace (John Horace)

Nearly a world tree is this poplar, which in some one of its variable forms is called also tacamahac, and balsam poplar as well.

From Getting Acquainted with the Trees by McFarland, J. Horace (John Horace)

The balsam poplar has a large bud thickly covered with a sticky, pungent, gelatinous substance.

From Studies of Trees by Levison, Jacob Joshua

The camp had been placed under a beautiful tree—the tacamahac, or balsam poplar.

From Popular Adventure Tales by Reid, Mayne