Balsam Poplar

#### Poplar Bud Oil. "**Balsam**** ****Poplar**" *leaf-bud** **oil:* The "balsam poplar" tree, **Populus**** ****Balsamifera**** **(and other **Populus**** **species) is a native of the northern states of the western and midwestern U. S. A. and of Canada. The tree was introduced in Europe about 200 years ago, and is found growing wild in various countries in central Europe. Before the leaves open in the spring, they are protected by a hood which is, as in the case of fir and spruce, very resinous (water-proof and airtight) and sticky. The poplar buds themselves are also resinous, and contain a balsamic-resinous substance which can be extracted by means of a hydrocarbon solvent. This produces an oleoresin (occasionally called "concrète"). The oleoresin can be steam distilled to yield an essential oil. Most often, an alcohol-extract of the oleo-resin is produced, or a concentrated tincture prepared directly with alcohol from the leafbuds is used. The essential oil is not commercially available, but the leaf buds are, and so are various extracts from this material. **Balsam**** ****Poplar**** ****Oleoresin**** **is a viscous, dark brown or dark amber colored liquid of very sweet balsamic coumarinic-cinnamic odor, with a peculiar undertone reminiscent of labdanum extracts. There is a distinct note in alcoholic extracts, reminding one of hop absolute or valerian, but the overall odor is strongly balsamic. A pale yellow oil has been obtained by molecular co-distillation of the extract with ethylene glycol or similar solvents. **Balsam Poplar Oleoresin **and its derivatives are used very rarely in perfumery for their balsamic sweet notes and good fixative effect. They blend well with new mown hay materials, with sandalwood and patchouli, hydroxycitronellal, terpineol and linalool in floral compositions, and in pine fragrances with cypress, pinus pumilio, juniper- berry oil, isobornyl acetate, labdanum, lavandin, etc. The author has been unable to find any connection between the American nickname (American Indian) "tacmahac" for this balsam or for the tree—and the same name for a Madagascan tree (presumably a **Canarium**** **species) whose hard, resinous balsam also has a coumarinic-balsamic odor. The two trees are not botanically related.