Populus balsamifera, or balsam poplar, native to Ontario, is a fast-growing tree perfect for rural areas, windbreaks, and naturalized landscapes on the edges of swampy ground. Thriving in full sun and moist, well-drained soil, it provides quick shelter for shade-tolerant species like hemlock and white pine. While balsam poplar can be messy with large leaf drops and cottony seed fluff, its rapid growth and hardiness make it an excellent choice for wind protection and habitat. Balsam poplar is native to a broad area of North America, extending from Newfoundland and Labrador across Canada, into Alaska, and south into the northern and eastern United States.