[6] Populus balsamifera is the northernmost North American hardwood, growing transcontinentally on boreal and montane upland and flood plain sites, and attaining its best development on flood plains.

[7] The tree is known for its strong, sweet fragrance, which emanates from its sticky, resinous buds.

The balm-of-Gilead (Populus × jackii), also known as P. × gileadensis, is the hybrid between P. balsamifera and the eastern cottonwood (P. deltoides), occurring occasionally where the two parental species' ranges overlap.

[7] The resinous sap (or the tree's balsam) comes from its buds, and is sometimes used as a hive disinfectant by bees.

[10] Branches containing the resinous buds are sometimes blown to the ground by spring windstorms, and herbalists from many cultures seek these out to make medicine from them.