Native to eastern North America through the Midwest and the Chicago Region, growing along streams, rivers, and lowland areas. It occurs throughout the eastern United States, parts of southern Canada, and northern Mexico. This plant has some cultivated varieties. Transplant easily, prefers wet soils in full sun, soil pH adaptable. These may either be gray or green in color. Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), one of the largest eastern hardwoods, is short-lived but the fastest-growing commercial forest species in North America. It is a riparian zone tree which means it is mostly found in areas that form the interface between land and water bodies such as rivers or streams. You can search, browse, and learn more about the plants in our living collections by visiting our BRAHMS website. Borrowing the Spanish word for 'cottonwood,' the Mission San Antonio de Valero is commonly known as 'The Alamo' because of the presence of nearby cottonwood trees. Eastern cottonwood is the state tree of Nebraska and can grow in great abundance along streams and rivers and other wet areas. Natural Areas Conservation Training Program, Black walnut toxicity (plants tolerant of), Preventing construction damage to trees and shrubs, Trees and shrubs for the four seasons landscape, Sudden Oak Death, Ramorum Blight and Phytophthora ramorum, Eastern United States Wetlands Collection. Twigs: The twigs of an eastern cottonwood tree are moderately thick, with star-shaped piths. State Champion eastern cottonwood tree at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake in May 2012. The largest specimen in Iowa is over 11 feet in diameter, 80 feet tall and more than 85 feet in width. Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) is one of the largest North American hardwood trees, although the wood is rather soft. The "cotton" provides birds with nesting material. The female trees can be messy, producing large quantities of seeds with white ‘fluff’ attached. Twig: Stout, somewhat angled and yellowish; buds are 3/4 inch long, covered with several brown, resinous scales. If you want to achieve quick shade in a large open space, Eastern Cottonwood is a fine choice. Trees with multiple trunks are excluded. The bark of young trunks is similar to the pale greenish white color of other members of this genus. Male clones, which have none of the objectionable "cotton" associated with seed, are preferred. The 2 to 5 inch long, simple, triangle-shaped, deciduous leaves have a toothed margin, and an elongated tip. Cottonwood has been used for windbreaks and soil stabilization. Plant cottonwoods only if your house has a large expanse of outdoor land for maximum effect. Mature trees with thick bark may be only scarred or top-killed. They have lustrous, bright green foliage in summer that changes to brilliant yellow in fall. Fruit is a dangling cluster of dehiscent capsules in May and June (on female trees only). Dioecious , male trees have dangling reddish catkins befor leaves appear. The north-south distribution extends from latitude 28 N. to 46 N. It is absent from the higher Appalachian areas and from much of Florida and the Gulf Coast except along rivers. Eastern cottonwood is a large, fast-growing tree found growing along streams, rivers, and lowland areas. The eastern cottonwood is without a doubt, one of the largest hardwood trees found in North America. Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menus and submenus. Use up and down arrow keys to explore within a submenu. Share your photo. It grows best on moist well-drained sands or silts near streams, often in pure stands. Buds are often resinous (sticky), but both buds and twigs are much lighter in color than P. balsamifera, the only other Populus species with heavily resinous buds. Leaf buds are large, 1-inch long, reddish green and pointed. Of course this inventory contains only tree records as far as they are registered on this site. Drought tolerant,  These are some of the largest and fastest-growing trees. This giant may grow 24+" annually, once established. Flower: Species is dioecious; male and female as pendulous catkins, appearing before the leaves. Deep planting permits reforesting of nonproductive fields with sandy soils having available moisture beneath a dry surface layer. Forestryimages.org provides several images of parts of Eastern cottonwood. Read on for more cottonwood tree facts. Eastern cottonwoods typically live 70–100 years, but they have the potential to live 200-400 years in ideal conditions. It is dioecious; catkins bloom on separate male or female trees in March-April before leaves emerge. Their winter buds are enrobed in a protective, fragrant resin that coats young l… Fast-growing yet relatively short-lived, cottonwoods are easily distinguished by their triangular- (or deltoid-) shaped leaves that easily flutter in the wind. C-Value: 2 Browse the curated collection and add your voice! The Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoids) dominates eastern North America, stretching from New Hampshire to the Dakotas and south down to Texas and northern Florida. There has also been interest in growing it for inclusion in cattle feed, since it is a good source of cellulose relatively free of undesirable components, such as tannins. Extremely fast growing, making it weak-wooded and brittle. Insect include borers, aphids, caterpillars and scale. The leaf shape is roughly triangular, hence the species name, deltoides. Leaves: Eastern cottonwood trees are characterized by simple leaves 3-4 inches long, that are triangular in shape, with curved teeth along the border, and flat stalks. Due to its large size, weak wood, and penetrating roots, it is best used on large properties away from residential areas. More information about the Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides). Due to its large size, weak wood, and penetrating roots, it is best used on large properties away from residential areas. This species is native to the Chicago region according to Swink and Wilhelm's Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research. eastern cottonwood Salicaceae Populus deltoides W. Bartram ex Marshall symbol: PODE3 Leaf: Alternate, simple, pinnately veined, 3 to 6 inches long, triangular (deltoid) in shape with a crenate/serrate margin. The petiole is flattened and glands are present at the top of the petiole. It is native to eastern North America through the Midwest and Chicago region. Eastern cottonwood is also called Carolina poplar, eastern poplar, necklace poplar, and álamo. Building the urban forest for 2050. Have tree and plant questions? You can recognize them at a distance by their broad, white trunks. ex Marsh. The lightweight, rather soft wood is used primarily for core stock in manufacturing furniture and for pulpwood. The western boundary is not well defined because eastern cottonwood intergrades with var. Altitude is a primary determiner of the western boundary. Leaf: Alternate, simple, pinnately veined, 3 to 6 inches long, triangular (deltoid) in shape with a crenate/serrate margin. This tree is also an excellent specimen for erosion control, as seen on strip mine spoils. Cottonwood is the state tree of Kansas and Wyoming. eastern cottonwood This plant can be weedy or invasive according to the authoritative sources noted below.This plant may be known by one or more common names in … Mature trees produce an ash- gray, blocky, thick bark with deep furrows and ridges. deltoides is located in Beatrice, Nebraska and measures 27 m (88 ft) tall, 33 m (108 ft) wide. Nebraska State Tree Eastern Cottonwood (Salicaceae Populus deltoides) Adopted in 1972. From top level menus, use escape to exit the menu. It is native to eastern North America through the Midwest and Chicago region. Eastern Cottonwood is a large, fast growing species native to North America. Eastern cottonwoods are dioecious, meaning trees are either male or female. Eastern cottonwood is frequently planted to give quick shade near homes. Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) $ 35.00 Large, fast-growing, deciduous tree. Siouxland Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides 'Siouxland'):  A male cultivar (produces no seeds or 'cotton'); fast-growing (2 to 3 feet per year); resistant to rust; oval form, yellow fall color. Stop by, email, or call. It’s a cherished shade tree, often planted in parks. Populus deltoides, commonly called eastern cottonwood, is a large, fast-growing, deciduous tree that typically grows 50-80’ (less frequently to 120’) tall with a broad, open-rounded shaped habit. It grows best on moist well-drained sands or silts near streams, often in pure stands. Female flowers are yellow. The following menu has 3 levels. Produces suckers and aggressive roots. The tree is a hardwood and the lineal taxonomy is Magnoliopsida > Salicales > Salicaceae > Populus deltoides deltoides Bartr. Eastern cottonwood is also sometimes called southern cottonwood, Carolina poplar, eastern poplar, necklace poplar, and álamo. Go to list of cultivars. bare cottonwood tree in the snow, yellowstone national park, unesco world heritage site, wyoming, united states of america, north america - eastern cottonwood tree stock pictures, royalty-free photos & … Easily grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils in full sun. Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menus and submenus. Eastern Cottonwood Tree – Populus deltoides Family Salicaceae — Willow, Cottonwood, Aspen. Leaves are green in summer, turning yellow or brown in fall. Habitat and conservation: Occurs in moist lowlands near streams and rivers. They are dark green above and a much paler green below. Coarse sands and heavy clay soils are not satisfactory. The Morton Arboretum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on the generosity of members and donors. Get expert help from The Morton Arboretum Plant Clinic. Our communities. The Balmville Tree (cut in 2015) was the oldest eastern cottonwood in the United States.. Fire generally kills eastern cottonwood. Fire scars may facilitate the onset of heartwood decay. Common name: Eastern cottonwood Most photos on this page are of a tree in Naperville, Illinois, along the west branch of the DuPage River. The leaf petiole is 3 to 4 inches long and flatted. It is not uncommon for young trees to grow in excess of 6 feet in height each year. Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) is common throughout much of the eastern United States and adjacent Canada (Figure 25). The leavesare alternate and simple, with coarsely toothed (crenate/serrate) edges, and subcordate at the base. The female trees have fruit capsules packed with numerous, tufted seeds with silky white hairs, giving the appearance of cotton. use escape to move to top level menu parent. The ends of the twigs are usually covered with a brown balsam-scented resin. The eastern cottonwood is a member of the willow family (Salicaceae). Some mammals also use Eastern Cottonwood as a food source. It is a riparian zone tree. Cottonwood makes its best growth on moist, well-drained, fine sandy loams or silt loams. There has been considerable interest in cottonwood for energy biomass, because of its high yield potential and coppicing ability. It grows on a variety of soil types but prefers moist, well-drained sands or silts along river bottoms. It also thrives in floodplains and dry riverbeds, where infrequent rains transform dry land into waterways. Roots are shallow-rotted and can invade septic and sewer systems. It grows best on moist well-drained sands or silts near streams, often in pure stands. occidentalis, plains cottonwood, where the ranges overlap. Eastern Cottonwood provides nesting habitat for such birds as the Pileated Woodpecker (cavities in large trees), Baltimore Oriole, Warbling Vireo, Northern Parula, and Yellow Warbler (young trees). Use up and down arrow keys to explore within a submenu. Eastern Cottonwood Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) is the fastest growing and largest tree found in Iowa. Cottonwood trees get their name from the fluffy cotton-like seeds produced by the female tree. (Dave Powell/USDA Forest Service/CC BY 3.0 us), (U.S. Geological Survey/Wikimedia Commons), (Bureau of Land Management/Wikimedia Commons), Cucumbertree, A Common Tree in North America, Mockernut Hickory, A Common Tree in North America, Black Locust, a Common Tree in North America, White Oak, A Common Tree in North America, Slippery Elm, A Common Tree in North America, Southern Red Oak, a Common Tree in North America, American Beech, a Common Tree in North America, Butternut, a Common Tree in North America, Black Oak, a Common Tree in North America, Scarlet Oak, A Top 100 Common Tree in North America, Willow Oak: Favorite Wildlife Food and Landscape Tree, B.S., Forest Resource Management, University of Georgia. It occurs throughout the eastern United States and just into southern Canada. Well suited along streams, riverbanks, swamps and in lowland, rain gardens and rural areas. Our trees. A towering native, a cottonwood tree soars and spreads, growing more than 100 feet tall and almost as wide. Cottonwoods (Populus deltoids) are massive shade trees that grow naturally throughout the United States. The US national champion Populus deltoides var. Male and female flowers develop on separate trees. The sight of cottonwoods in the distance was a sure sign of water to early settlers during their travels west. Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), one of the largest eastern hardwoods, is short-lived but the fastest-growing commercial forest species in North America. Although cottonwood trees are really attractive and add to the appeal of their surroundings, their immense size makes them unsuitable for small yards. Use enter to activate. Within a submenu, use escape to move to top level menu parent. Swamp Cottonwood (P. heterophllya) grows through the southeast. Leaves are simple, opposite, large, and oval (almost heartshaped). Seeds provide a valued food source for birds. The Eastern Cottonwood, Populus deltoides, is one of the largest North American hardwood trees, although the wood is rather soft. Eastern cottonwood is a large, fast-growing tree found growing along streams, rivers, and lowland areas. Alternate leaf arrangement. In the wild, cottonwood grows along rivers, ponds and other bodies of water. Eastern cottonwood grows along streams and on bottomlands from southern Quebec westward into North Dakota and southwestern Manitoba, south to central Texas, and east to northwestern Florida and Georgia. The petiole is flattened and glands are present at the top of the petiole. The Eastern Cottonwood is from eastern North America and typically found growing along streams, rivers, and in lowland areas and swamps, and here in Houston, we like to plant them as a showy, fast-growing shade tree! Each seed produces a bit of fluff to aid in wind dispersal. He is a member of the Society of American Foresters. Yellowish twigs, coarsely toothed leaves and gummy end buds distinguish this from the other poplars. Susceptible to a wide range of diseases including dieback, cankers, leaf spots, rusts and powdery mildew. Our future. These trees have been very important to the native people living in North America… Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), one of the largest eastern hardwoods, is short-lived but the fastest-growing commercial forest species in North America. Explore this online platform for Chicago-area residents to share their favorite stories about trees. It is a riparian zone tree. Eastern Cottonwood is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree. It is often establishes in nearly pure pockets between levees and the main watercourse. The new growth is high in protein and minerals. Eastern cottonwood is one of the few hardwood species that is planted and grown specifically for these purposes. The eastern cottonwood is a large and fast growing tree Also called the necklace poplar, the eastern cottonwood tree grows throughout the central and eastern regions of the United States. The leaves of Populus deltoides are simple, alternate, toothed and broadly triangular. Has a bitter aspirin taste. Cottonwood leaflets Eastern cottonwood, one of the largest eastern hardwoods, is short-lived but the fastest-growing commercial forest species in North America. Girth records In this table of girth records worldwide only girth measurements made at a height between 1.30 m and 1.50 m are listed. Cottonwood is a large tree growing primarily on alluvial soil and on other sites such as near water tanks, along irrigation ditches, dry washes, floodplains of major rivers, large perennial streams, springs, and in desert oases. Click on second leaf photo for enlargement to see flattened stem and glands at base of leaf. 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