Eastern Cottonwood
(Populus deltoides)
Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
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Steven Bodzin
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Steven Bodzin
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Steven Bodzin | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Steven Bodzin | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-10-04T12:05:59-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Populus deltoides, commonly known as Eastern Cottonwood, is a deciduous tree native to riparian zones, floodplains, and wetlands across the Southern Canadian prairies, the Eastern, Midwestern, and Intermountain states of the USA, as well as Northeastern Mexico. It is one of the largest North American hardwood trees, reaching heights of 65–195 feet (20–60 meters) with a trunk diameter up to 9 feet 2 inches (2.8 meters). The bark is silvery-white and smooth in young trees, becoming dark gray and deeply fissured with age. The stout, grayish-yellow twigs bear large triangular leaf scars. Eastern Cottonwood is known for its rapid growth rate and prodigious seed production, with a single tree capable of releasing up to 40 million seeds per season.
The tree’s heart-shaped leaves turn yellow in the fall, adding seasonal interest. It is often used for reforestation projects, erosion control, and as a windbreak due to its fast growth and large size. Cottonwoods require ample space and are not suitable for small gardens. They thrive in full sun and can tolerate a range of soil moisture conditions, from wet to occasionally dry, but prefer soils with fast to slow drainage. Despite its benefits, Eastern Cottonwood has invasive tendencies outside its native range and can be problematic due to its aggressive root system and the large amount of "cotton" produced, which can be a nuisance in urban areas.CC BY-SA 4.0
The tree’s heart-shaped leaves turn yellow in the fall, adding seasonal interest. It is often used for reforestation projects, erosion control, and as a windbreak due to its fast growth and large size. Cottonwoods require ample space and are not suitable for small gardens. They thrive in full sun and can tolerate a range of soil moisture conditions, from wet to occasionally dry, but prefer soils with fast to slow drainage. Despite its benefits, Eastern Cottonwood has invasive tendencies outside its native range and can be problematic due to its aggressive root system and the large amount of "cotton" produced, which can be a nuisance in urban areas.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree
- Height: 50-100 feet
- Width: 35-60 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: High
- Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Erosion Control, Fragrant, Salt Tolerant, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Riparian zones, floodplains, and wetlands
Other Names
Common Names: Common Cottonwood , Match Poplar , Necklace Poplar , Vuurhoutjiepopulier , Virginische Pappel , Liard , Peuplier Deltoïde , Peuplier Du Canada , Peuplier Liard , Peuplier À Feuilles Deltoïdes
Scientific Names: Populus deltoides , Aigeiros deltoides
GBIF Accepted Name: Populus deltoides W.Bartram ex Marshall