The genus Populus' most common North American natives include one true poplar in the north, four primary species of cottonwoods and the quaking aspen. Most of the known 35 natural poplar species live in the Northern Hemisphere.

The cottonwoods thrive in an ecosystem associated with riparian and wetland areas in eastern and western North America. The aspens are most comfortable in boreal environments dominated by conifers with aspen being a major broad-leaved species. Balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) is the northernmost American hardwood and a major deciduous tree in Canada and Alaska.

The Common North American Poplar Species

Quaking aspen

Balsam poplar

Eastern cottonwood

Black cottonwood

All have long reproductive catkins that appear just before the new leaves of spring and can help in identification. The resulting fruit is a capsule that opens into 2 tp 4 parts. The tufted seeds are shed in masses of white "cotton" which can cover the ground inches deep.

The leaves of aspen and Eastern cottonwood are deltoids where black cottonwood and balsam poplar are ovate. They occur on a branch alternately, are simple (single leaf) and mostly toothed.

Interesting Facts