Populus trichocarpa, also known as Black Cottonwood, California Poplar, or Western Balsam Poplar, is one of the largest poplar species in the Americas, growing up to 150 ft tall with a trunk diameter of over 6 ft. This tree has a unique ability to regenerate naturally after logging operations, sprout from roots, and abscise shoots to colonize exposed sandbars. Its leaf buds are covered in resinous sap with a strong turpentine odor and a bitter taste, and contain salicin, a glycoside that decomposes into salicylic acid (aspirin) in the body. Populus trichocarpa has a long history of herbal use, valued by many native North American Indian tribes for its expectorant and antiseptic properties. It is commonly used in modern herbalism to treat lung complaints, wounds, skin conditions, and upper respiratory tract infections. The plant's inner bark, catkins, and sap are also edible, while its roots, shoots, and leaves have many other medicinal and practical uses, ranging from rooting hormone to insulation, dye, soap, and fuel. This easily grown tree prefers a deep, rich, and well-drained soil, and is a fast-growing and ornamental addition to any garden or landscape.
