13 Cottonwood group of five
Image of the Tree You are Viewing
Basic Information about this tree
- Scientific Name: Populus deltoides,
Common Names: Cottonwood, Plains Cottonwood
Deciduous
- Sunlight / Moisture / Soil preference: Full sun with chalky, loam soils. Wet locations preferred
- Flowering type: Dioecious -Female and Male flowers occur on separate trees
- Pollination strategy: Wind
- Native
- Age Estimate/ Health:
- Longevity: 70-100 years
- Mature Size: 65-200 ft tall by 35-60 ft wide
- GPS Coordinates N45.00289 W92.90338
Mature Tree in Winter/ Summer
Leaves in Summer / Fall
Flowers - Female & Male are on separate trees
Male and female flowers are on separate trees (dioecious) in hanging clusters (catkins) from the leaf axils of 1 year old branches. Male catkins are 2 to 4½ inches long with tiers of red stamens. Female catkins are 2½ to 4¼ inches long with yellowish stigmas on top of a naked, round green ovary.
Fruit Unripe / Ripe
Bark of Mature Tree / root system sketch
Uses in Traditional and Modern Eras
Value for wildlife: Attracts bees and hummingbirds.
Utility for Humans: Cottony seeds can be a nuisance, and the pollen is considered moderately allergenic. Fast growing but short-lived commercial hardwood; cultivated for its lightweight wood to make furniture, plywood or other products. Great shade tree with attractive fall colors. Good alongside creeping phlox, yew and dwarf lilac.
Traditional uses in Native American Tree Medicine (historical):
Homeowner’s Corner: Watch for brown spot, leaf rot, sap-sucking insects, yellow spot, caterpillars. Large branches can break off of older trees, and the huge trunks are expensive to remove.