steady wind of about 40 Kph with gusts reported at 80-90 Kph Occassional rains starting about the time of failure. I heard that a tree had failed overnight and wanted to have a look before it was cleaned up. It fell in a schoolyard about 9 pm. I filled in my checklist (north american tree failure reporting form) and took a few pictures. Black Poplar (Populus trichocarpa) about 100 years old, 40 inch DBH, open setting, some crown dieback and major trunk decay. I estimate about 20% or less undecayed wood. Time of failure was near 9 PM.
Black poplar is customarily Populus nigra. P. balsamifera trichocarpa is often called black cottonwood. Another common name that has been used for it is rottenwood, a reason for this being shown by your pictures.
Thanks Ron B, I was using the nomenclature of a book I had at hand for the botanical name, Native trees of Canada by R.C. Hosie, it is the eighth edition printed 1990. The other book I looked in (Gerald Straley's Trees of Vancouver) did indeed list it as you have.
Common names that have been used for Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa in North America are Black cottonwood Western balsam poplar Oregon balsam poplar Black balsam poplar Rottenwood Balm
