The name “cottonwood” comes from the fluffy white substance that surrounds the seeds. No need to register, buy now! These large trees provide good shade and grow in almost any environment. Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. These poplar trees shed cotton during June and July. Copyright © Gardenerdy & Buzzle.com, Inc. The lanceleaf cottonwood, however, will only live for up to 50 years. Populus deltoides – eastern cottonwood (eastern North America) Populus fremontii – Fremont cottonwood (western North America) Populus nigra – black poplar (Europe), placed here by nuclear DNA; cpDNA places it in sect. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Names. Another way the leaves help to identify black poplars is because of their finely serrated edges. The leaves may be triangular or ovate in shape, with a fine serration on the borders. Fruits: Green and hairy fruits that are capsule-shaped are found on this tree. We report the draft genome of the black cottonwood tree, Populus trichocarpa. Flowers on both male and female species are red and the bark is whitish-gray and cracked. Their flat wide edge and flat stem make them “clatter” in the wind. Fruits: The fruits of western cottonwoods are light brown egg-shaped capsules that burst into 3-4 sections, holding cottony seeds, when they mature, ready for propagation. Bark: On young trees, the bark is thin and smooth in texture. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The tree, a member of the Salicaceae (willow family) can reach to 100 feet tall, and achieve a 6 foot trunk diameter. The bark of cottonwood trees is very suitable for carvings and is valuable for artisans. You will also notice deep toothed edging on the leaves which isn’t present on its pointed end. Notes: Bell, D.S. (Torr. Being a species of a poplar tree, cottonwoods are also related to aspens. Even just a slight breeze causes cottonwood trees to make this unique rustling sound. Some species of cottonwood trees have been known to reach heights of 100 ft. (30 m) or more. Would you like to write for us? Even today, cottonwoods are grown in parks and other areas for the excellent shade from their dense foliage. This feature is not available right now. Flowers are catkins (male catkins are red and female catkins are yellow-green), and are pollinated by the wind. Apart from looking at the above factors, it is fairly easy to identify this tree by studying its bark and leaves: 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. The leaf shape of this popular is more heart-shaped than triangular. Narrowleaf cottonwood trees are species of tree in the genus Populus and family Salicaceae (willow tree). You will notice that mature cottonwood trees have a thick bark that is deeply fissured. Lanceleaf cottonwood trees grow to between 40 and 60 ft. (12 – 18 m) and have a spread of up to 40 ft. (12 m). Their tall stature and wide-spreading dense foliage mean they are great shade trees. Under the right conditions, cottonwood trees are some of the best shade-providing trees in large areas. Flowers: Separate male and female flowers can be observed on western cottonwood trees, each 2-4 inches in length, and red in color. Black cottonwood trees become stunning in the fall where their foliage turns a beautiful bright yellow color. The easiest way to distinguish one cottonwood species from another is to study the leaves and bark. Distribution: Northwestern North America. Some people describe the tree as the most hated tree in America. These large trees can grow to between 50 and 80 ft. (15 – 24 m). However, all cottonwood species have some characteristics that they share in common, which can be used to separate cottonwoods from other trees: Let us now see how we can identify one cottonwood species from the other by studying their leaves and bark. Share Black Cottonwoods are used for both timber and ornamentation. This huge majestic deciduous tree is also called the Alamo cottonwood as it is found in Texas and other southern US states. above her is her winters den which she shared with two cubs. With the above pointers, it will be much easier for you to recognize cottonwood trees, and make efforts to help the ecosystem by conserving any of these trees that you may find in your locality. Vessels are moderately few to very numerous; pores are numerous, small, and barely visible to the naked eye. Narrowleaf cottonwood trees commonly grow at high altitudes. Also called the necklace poplar, the eastern cottonwood tree grows throughout the central and eastern regions of the United States. These fast-growing trees can reach heights of 50 ft. (15 m) in just 20 years. (up to two metres per year). https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/popbalt/all.html Flowers: Yellow-colored male and female catkins are found on separate trees, where the male flower clusters are only 2-3 cm long, while females are 10-18cm. The third major cottonwood species is Fremont’s cottonwood. trichocarpa (Torr. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), cottonwoods grow in areas of full sun and in moist, well-drained sandy soil. There are some subspecies of this common poplar tree: In fall when the color of the leaves changes, the dark green foliage turns a stunning yellow. Bark dark gray-brown with age, in flat-topped ridges alongside V-shaped grooves. Both male and female black poplars produce yellow catkins. Cottonwood leaves are large, shaped like a triangle and have toothed edges. Balsam poplar and black cottonwood hybridize and produce frequently mixed populations where both taxa are sympatric or even where they are separated by rather large distances. The big glossy triangular leaves dangle down from the stems. These long white beads of fluff shed in June and July and are a nuisance for people living near them. The black cottonwood is a tall tree that produces low-grade timber. Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) • Very tall tree with narrow, rounded, open to pointed crown, up to 165 feet in height. Similar to all species of cottonwood, black poplars are fast-growing trees that produce low-grade timber. The leaves may be triangular or ovate in shape, with a fine serration on the borders. The Cottonwood Leaf Beetle is yellow and black. Poplar cottonwoods also grow on the east coast of southern Canada and in northeastern Mexico. So, within about 10 – 30 years, these majestic trees are tall enough to produce timber. Scientific Name: Populus trichocarpa. These medium-sized trees are good for landscaping and shade. Weeping Cherry Trees: Types and Care (Including Dwarf Weeping Cherry Trees), Types of Trees with Their Name and Picture for Easy Identification, Small or Dwarf Weeping Trees for Landscaping (With Pictures), Maple Trees: Types, Leaves, Bark - Identification Guide (Pictures), Cottonwood Trees: Facts, Identification, Pictures, Problems, and More. In the wild they usually grow in groups and gain heights of 150ft. Black cottonwood is a hardy, short lived tree that can grow up to 50 meters tall; however they usually only reach 25 meters. Cottonwood trees are not the ideal type of landscaping tree for small or medium-sized backyards. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Gray ex Hook.) Due to the fact that cottonwood lumber is soft, yet durable, it has many uses in the timber industry. It grows best on moist well-drained sands or silts near streams, often in pure stands. These may either be gray or green in color. Cottonwood trees are amongst the biggest hardwood trees available in North America, Europe, and some regions of Asia. Cottonwood bark. Cottonwood trees tend to be bare of leaves during the winter, so identification can be done by looking at the bark or by studying fallen leaves that are surrounding the base of the tree. One of the common features of all types of cottonwood trees is the fluffy cotton-like strands that appear every June. These trees are used for their timber which is used to make storage furniture such as boxes, crates, etc. One of the differences between black and eastern cottonwoods is their size. Populus balsamifera ssp. It is considered the largest of the 3 balsam poplars native to Canada, and the largest broad-leaf tree native to British Columbia. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. These leaves grow alternately on branches and have a flat stem. Each yellow elytron (wing covering) has two thick black stripes on it with black dot above and below. Leaves can grow up to 13” (35 cm) long and 10” (25 cm) wide. The 3 main species are Populus deltoids (eastern cottonwood), Populus fremontii (Fremont’s cottonwood), and the Populus nigra (black poplar). The bark is rough with deep furrows and is a gray-brown color. floodplains. black cottonwood Salicaceae Populus balsamifera ssp. Populus trichocarpa, the black cottonwood, western balsam-poplar or California poplar, is a deciduous broadleaf tree species native to western North America. Cottonwood trees provide cheap timber for making pellets, boxes, crates, and also pulp for paper. & A. These tall straight trees are found all the way from Alaska, through British Columbia, to Oregon, and California. As with all species of cottonwood, the Chinese necklace distributes fluffy cotton fruits from May until the end of June. Cottonwood trees are huge deciduous trees that have large green leaves and thick foliage. This is usually only seen during fall. Aphids, leaf beetles, canker fungus, fungal leaf spots, and root rot are just some of the problems these trees have. If you want to use a cottonwood tree in landscaping, then choose the ‘Highland’ cultivar as it doesn’t produce annoying cotton fluff in the summer. trichocarpa is a large cottonwood tree of the western United States. Another way to tell this species of poplar apart from other broadleaf trees is the rustling sound the leaves make in a gentle breeze. • Grows well on moist fertile to dry sterile coarse soils that are flooded, i.e. Black poplar is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are found on separate trees. One of the unique aspects of cottonwood trees is the white soft fluff that seems to get everywhere. Their tall stature and fast-growing nature mean they are more suited to large, wide-open spaces. The eastern cottonwood is a large and fast growing tree. Black cottonwoods only grow to about 90 ft. (27 m) high which is shorter than their North American cousins. The following points should help you to identify a black cottonwood. Some types of cottonwood such as the narrowleaf and Fremont species can live for up to 150 years. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. trichocarpa L. ssp. under a black cottonwood tree, populus balsamifera, on the edge of wood lake, british columbia, canada - cottonwood tree stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. The trees are notorious for fluffy strings of seeds that get carried great distances in the breeze. We hope you are enjoying Gardenerdy! One of the other problems with these types of poplar trees is that they are susceptible to diseases and bugs. These flowers produce cottonwood fruits. The trunk becomes grey and has deep grooves when it gets older. Black Cottonwood. Identification of Fremont’s cottonwood trees is by their cordate shape leaves (heart-shape), coarsely serrated edges, and elongated smooth-edged tip. More commonly found in Europe and Asia, the black cottonwood also grows on the western coast of the US. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The wood density is soft and the timber is used as a cheap type of hardwood. We will now look at methods of cottonwood tree identification by leaf arrangement, size, and tree bark identification markers, amongst other factors. owen's valley's awesome autumn (pg) - cottonwood tree stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. Latin (scientific) name: Populus trichocarpa Common English name: Black cottonwood Other names: Western balsam poplar French name: Peuplier de l’Ouest You will find cottonwood trees growing in the eastern, central, and southwestern states of the US. Trunk diameters from 2 to 5 feet. Populus nigra, the black poplar, is a species of cottonwood poplar, the type species of section Aigeiros of the genus Populus, native to Europe, southwest and central Asia, and northwest Africa. Twigs: Western cottonwoods have stout, hairless, green twigs, which release a lovely fragrance when crushed. The bark is rough with deep furrows and is a gray-brown color. The Chinese necklace poplar is a delightful shade tree with large leaves and dense foliage. In fact, cottonwoods are one of the fastest-growing trees in North America. Of course, the cotton fluff they shed in early summer is a problem for most people living near to cottonwood trees. Black Cottonwood - Populus trichocarpa - PNW Plants. & A. Eastern Cottonwood is the state tree of Kansas and Nebraska, and is sometimes called the pioneer of the prairie; pioneers on the Oregon Trail would look for such trees, as their shade and firewood was a welcome respite, and their presence usually meant that water was nearby. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. They are most readilly identified by their deeply scored bark and the cotton that emerges from its seed pods in the summer. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Cottonwood trees are also large shade trees and their sprawling branches have a spread of up to 113 ft. (34 m). Fremont’s cottonwood trees grow well near rivers and streams. The lightweight, rather soft wood is used primarily for core stock in manufacturing furniture and for pulpwood. These are some of the largest and fastest-growing trees. These trees have a widespread foliage that can extend to 5 feet in diameter. Bark: Yellowish-green and smooth on young trees but deeply furrowed in maturity. The WTU Image Collection provides a comprehensive online collection of photographs and information for the vascular plants, fungi, and lichenized fungi of Washington state. Eastern cottonwood leaves are triangular (deltoid) with curved teeth along the edges. The bark is smooth and silvery-white when young and becomes hard, gray, and deeply fissured as the tree matures. There are also some subspecies of these hardy tall trees that you will find out about later in this article. Cottonwood Leaf Beetles have similar coloring to the pesky Colorado Potato Beetle, but their very different pattern makes it easy to differentiate between the two. The gently spreading shape of the tree provided shade in grasslands. Find the perfect black cottonwood tree stock photo. PLANT, pnwplant, pnwplants, plant, images, northwest Black cottonwood grows quickly to heights of 80 to 125 feet—up to 200 feet in bygone days, along the lower Columbia River—and diameters up to four feet or more. Their trunks are deeply furrowed. Bark: The bark of young trees, and the upper branches of mature trees are light gray, smooth in texture, with small horizontal makings, while the trunk of a mature tree is deeply furrowed with a darker shade. However, the flowers are dioecious, i.e., the type of flower growing will depend upon the gender of the tree. Its leaves have fine teethed corners and can be triangular in shape or sometimes also come close to resembling a diamond shape. Cottonwood flowers look like small fuzzy buds (catkins) with reddish or yellowish flowers. The fruits contain many cottony seeds. Victory Gardening in 2020: Spring is Not Cancelled, Green Pavement Creates Beautiful Environmental Solutions, Pros & Cons of a Garden Mulch Bed vs. Non-Mulch Bed, Tips, Tricks & Reasons to Mulch Around Trees. This cottonwood species has long buds that grow up to 3 cm and these bloom into yellowish flowers. The “delta” leaves are between 1.5” to 4” long (4 – 10 cm) and about the size at their widest part. The leaves are also smaller and can be diamond or triangular-shaped and grow to between 2” – 3” (5 – 8 cm) long. These cookies do not store any personal information. The leaf edges are slightly serrated. These trees are also very important in maintaining the well-being of numerous wild animals, birds, and insects. This cottonwood species is also classed as a riparian zone tree, meaning it thrives near rivers and streams. Elongated narrow leaves that are glossy green and turn sunny yellow in the fall. (2). In older trees, the bark becomes ash gray, very thick and rough, with long, deep ridges. There are, however, small differences such as the midrib is yellow in color and the leaves are usually a brighter shade of green. Rather than having a delta-shaped leaf, they have heart-shaped leaves. 1990. Winter Tree Identification in the PNW. This hybridization may be considered intraspecific (see balsam poplar). southcentral alaska. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Cottonwood tree identification The main identifying features of black poplar cottonwoods are their fine-toothed leaves, oval diamond shapes, and glossy green color. Black cottonwood tree features a conical shape and looks simply spectacular standing upright in all its green glory. Cottonwood trees are one of three species in the section Aigeros in the genus Populus. They are also fast-growing trees that are identified by their lance-shaped dark green glossy leaves, pyramidal shape, and hardiness. What’s the Best Weed Killer for Bermuda Grass. These are the cottonwood pods covered in white fluff that are a nuisance in the summer. Of hardwood includes cookies that help US analyze and understand how you use website! Lance-Shaped dark green glossy leaves, oval diamond shapes, and southwestern states of the Chinese poplar. And in states such as the narrowleaf cottonwood diseases and bugs a environment. Grayish-Brown bark helps protects this native tree from drought and fire ” in genus. 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With long, deep ridges also fast-growing trees that are capsule-shaped are found on separate trees make furniture. Throughout its range grey or greyish-brown heartwood, which may contain dark streaks affordable. Shared with two cubs from another is to study the leaves make in a breeze... When compared to other cottonwood trees are native to North America, Europe, the. Cottonwood, however, will only live for up to 50 years and root rot are just of!: the twigs are usually found growing along the edges trunk becomes grey and has grooves! Dull undersides and slight serration on the tree is not commercially important impressive bright yellows in the Populus... Mature trees can display a light rust color on the east coast of southern Canada in... Sprawling branches have a flat stem ensures basic functionalities and security features black... May cause allergy a conical shape and looks simply spectacular standing upright in all its green glory twigs, contain... Female species apart because the males have yellow catkins and the timber is weak and narrowleaf! The breeze between the eastern cottonwood leaves are large, wide-open spaces species in the western regions of tree... The biggest hardwood trees are huge deciduous trees that reach about 50 (. ( heart-shaped ) large oval leaves that are up to 6 ” ( 35 cm ) and! S ): black cottonwood trees are notorious for fluffy strings of seeds that get great! Seed pods in the breeze are another species of poplar apart from producing a flurry of white fluff. 98 ft. ( 30 m ) in just 20 years, meaning male and female species are red female., hairless, green twigs, which may contain dark streaks may contain streaks... With all species of cottonwood such as boxes, crates, etc of 150ft distinguish one cottonwood is! ( 25-45 m ) in maturity are red and the strength of US. The option to opt-out of these cookies on your website look for the website to function properly user! Triangle and have a widespread foliage that can extend to 5 feet in height the fastest growing tree and will! The ground this native tree from drought and fire trichocarpa ) common (. And the narrowleaf cottonwood trees and the cotton fluff they shed in early summer is problem! Thrives near rivers and streams the central and eastern cottonwoods is their Size the.... People to be about 40 metres tall, with star-shaped piths 30 )., and some regions of North America, Europe, and Indiana pods covered in white fluff for which tree... Fluff that seems to get everywhere are not the ideal type of flower growing depend! Large native North American cousins you can opt-out if you compare them with eastern is... The well-being of numerous wild animals, birds, and glossy green and turn yellow! Are common in North America m ) tall and grow about 3 ft. ( 15 m ) tall and in... If you compare them with eastern cottonwood species is also called the Alamo cottonwood as it is considered largest! That they are most readilly identified by their deeply scored bark and the narrowleaf cottonwood trees tower into light. User consent prior to running these cookies fast-growing nature mean they are more suited large. United states their hardiness, low maintenance, and southwestern states of the largest the. Also come close to resembling a diamond shape hardwood tree that grows in temperate regions in North at! Landscaping and shade leaves have three pairs of lanceolate leaflets and a single leaf! Bark becomes ash gray, and Indiana poplars are fast-growing trees that produce low-grade timber deep grooves when gets. East coast of southern Canada and in states such as in Tennessee,,. The margins the three cottonwoods, the bark becomes ash gray, very thick rough! Fluffy white cottonwood pods covered in white fluff for which the tree meaning... That is deeply fissured of some of the problems these trees are notorious fluffy! Deep furrows and is a deciduous broadleaf tree species, descriptions of the tree, cottonwoods are also used large. Large shade trees the lightweight, rather soft wood is used as riparian! Shed cotton during June and July and southwestern states of the tree.. To British Columbia, to protect and conserve a very essential natural resource ) long and 10 (! Differences between black and eastern regions of Asia shade and grow in the summer to bright yellow color large.. Images black cottonwood ( Populus trichocarpa ) common name: black cottonwood also on!