Why are cottonwood trees so attractive?
Fast growth and wonderful shade are reasons enough to cherish cottonwood, but these trees possess other qualities that make them worth planting. The leaves have flat stems, so they shimmer and rustle in the wind. The effect is eye-catching and distinctively attractive. The tree offers strong fall color, with leaves fading to glowing shades of gold.
How much does cottonwood grow in a year?
Historically, cottonwood earned its place as a landscape tree because it grows rapidly, adding up to 6 feet a year. It's also a favorite for shade, with the large spread helping to cast cooling shade over homes and streets. There’s a cottonwood for nearly any region, with different hardy types in Zones 2 through 9.
Why do cottonwood trees live in floodplains?
Liven up your yard and add shade quickly with these fast-growing trees that avoid the pitfalls of weak wood short lifespan. Because cottonwood trees are adapted to thrive in floodplains, they naturally have shallow root systems, so that as floodwaters recede, the roots can breathe and the tree survives.
What is cottonwood known for?
Learn about growing cottonwood trees, known for their ample shade and cotton-like seeds.
What did Native Americans use cottonwood trees for?
Native Americans used cottonwood trees for dugout canoes and even transformed its bark into a medicinal tea. Cottonwood trees feature male and female parts on separate trees (female trees are the ones that produce the cottony substance that gives the tree its name).
What is the effect of cottonwood?
The effect is eye-catching and distinctively attractive. The tree offers strong fall color, with leaves fading to glowing shades of gold. In the wild, cottonwood is one of the fastest trees to colonize unplanted areas, making it a solid choice for areas prone to flooding and soil erosion.
Why is cottonwood bad for you?
The rapid growth that makes some folks cheer for cottonwood is also a negative, because the wood is brittle, leading to breaking branches and plenty of twigs to collect before mowing. As a cottonwood tree grows, large branches often break in windstorms, which can lead to property damage.
What is a cottonwood tree?
Image by William Dummitt. Cottonwoods ( Populus deltoides) are massive shade trees that grow naturally throughout the United States. You can recognize them at a distance by their broad, white trunks. They have lustrous, bright green foliage in summer that changes to brilliant yellow in fall. Read on for more cottonwood tree facts.
How Fast Does a Cottonwood Tree Grow?
Cottonwood trees are the fastest growing trees in North America. A young tree can add 6 feet (2 m.) or more in height each year. This rapid growth leads to weak wood that is easily damaged.
What type of soil do cottonwood trees prefer?
The trees prefer sandy or silty soil , but will tolerate most anything but heavy clay. They are hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 2 through 9. Planting cottonwood trees in home landscapes leads to problems. These messy trees have weak wood and are prone to disease.
How to cut a tree with a long handle?
Using long-handled pruners, make the cuts close to the trunk, cutting at an angle that slants down and away from the tree. Leave stubs of about one-quarter inch. (2 cm.) Next, remove branches that cross each other and may rub together in the winds.
How tall do birch trees grow?
This rapid growth leads to weak wood that is easily damaged. The trees can grow to well over 100 feet tall (30 m.), with eastern species sometimes reaching 190 feet (59 m.). The canopy of a mature tree spreads about 75 feet wide (23 m.), and the diameter of the trunk averages about 6 feet (2 m.) at maturity.
Do cottonwood trees produce seeds?
The cotton-covered seeds create a significant litter problem. Male cottonwood trees don’t produce seeds.
Can cottonwood trees be used as windbreaks?
Their rapid growth makes them well-suited to use as a windbreak tree. The tree is an asset in wildlife areas where their hollow trunk serves as shelter while the twigs and bark provide food. As lumber, cottonwood trees tend to warp and shrink, and the wood doesn’t have an attractive grain.
How long does it take for cottonwood to grow?
In these conditions, cottonwood can average 5' in growth per year for its first 25 years.
How many species of cottonwood are there in the world?
Cottonwood claims 25 species around the world, from the Himalayan Mountains to the plateaus of Chile. The U.S. alone has 11 species. However, only two cottonwoods have commercial importance: Eastern cottonwood ( Populus deltoides ), native from the Midwest to the Atlantic, and black cottonwood ( Populus trichocarpa ), ...
Why did the wagonmasters of the mid-1800s scout the horizon for cottonwood?
Great plains' guidepost. Westward-bound wagonmasters of the mid-1800s scanned the horizon for the cottonwood because its presence always signaled water. That's how groves of cottonwood became gathering places for weary travelers. Pioneer homesteaders planted the fast-growing trees as windbreaks, cut them for fence posts and firewood, ...
Why is cottonwood used for shipping?
Due to cottonwood's light weight, lack of odor and taste, colorlessness, and nail-holding ability, about half of all the wood harvested becomes boxes and crates. The wood also holds printing inks better than most wood, making it ideal for shipping labels and logos.
What is the maximum moisture content of wood?
For stability in use, always work wood with a maximum moisture content of 8 percent.
Does cottonwood wood split easily?
Although cottonwood doesn' t burn easily against a router bit in cuts with or across the grain, it will fuzz, especially with dull bits. Because this lightweight wood (at 28 pounds per cubic foot about a third lighter than walnut) doesn't split easily, it's not necessary to predrill for screws.
Is cottonwood fuzzing?
The only fault cottonwood has is fuzzing. That is, hairlike wood fibers tend to lift--sometimes during machining, and always in finishing. Here's how to make the best of this overlooked wood: Start with well-seasoned boards.
How to identify cottonwood trees?
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.
How to tell a cottonwood from another?
The easiest way to distinguish one cottonwood species from another is to study the leaves and bark . However, all cottonwood species have some characteristics that they share in common, which can be used to separate cottonwoods from other trees:
What are the leaves of Eastern Cottonwood?
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. Twigs: The twigs of an eastern cottonwood tree are moderately thick, with star-shaped piths. These may either be gray or green in color.
What is the crown of a cottonwood tree?
Crown: The lowest branches of a mature cottonwood tree may be too high to reach, making it difficult to climb. In wide open spaces, the crown can be as wide as the height of the tree.
Why is cottonwood tree bark important?
These trees are also very important in maintaining the well-being of numerous wild animals, birds, and insects. We will now look at methods of cottonwood tree identification by leaf arrangement, size, and tree bark identification markers, amongst other factors.
How to tell if a cottonwood tree is western or eastern?
Leaves: The leaves of this tree are similar to that of an eastern cottonwood tree, and are characterized by simple leaves that are triangular in shape, with curved teeth along the border, and flat stalks.
What is the difference between mature trees and young trees?
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.
What is the shape of a black cottonwood tree?
Black cottonwood tree features a conical shape and looks simply spectacular standing upright in all its green glory.
What are Cottonwoods?
Cottonwoods are a species of flowering plants in the Salicaceae or the willow family . This refers to trees that belong to the genus Populus, section Aigeiros. Native to various parts of North America and western Asia, cottonwoods share many similarities with other poplars such as aspens and balsams.
Why are cottonwood trees planted?
For Timber Production. Given their rapid growth pattern, cottonwoods are often planted with the objective of collecting wood from it later on. In less than a decade, a cottonwood tree can yield a large amount of wood that can hardly be obtained from any other source in the same time period.
What is a swamp cottonwood?
Populus heterophylla or the swamp cottonwood is a large tree that can measure over 100 feet high at maturity. Like all other cottonwoods, this variety is also dioecious, which means that male and female catkins or flowers grow on separate trees. The male catkins (staminate) are cylindrical in shape and feature a bright yellow color whereas the female catkins (pistillate) or mostly green in color.
How tall is Populus nigra?
Compared to other types of cottonwood, the black poplar has a bit of stunted growth, reaching a maximum of only 90 to 95 feet high on an average.
How tall does Populus angustifolia grow?
Populus angustifolia, whose common names include the narrowleaf cottonwood, narrowleaf balsam poplar and willow-leaved cottonwood, is a hybrid variety that can grow up to 70 feet tall. With slender branches laden with thin, narrow leaves, this species foliage grows in an overall vase-like style that lends the tree a very graceful look.
What is the hardiness zone of a Lanceleaf tree?
Lanceleaf trees are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9 as they prefer full exposure to sunlight. Mature trees develop a pyramidal shape with thick green foliage that turns into bright yellow as autumn arrives. The leaves of this cottonwood variety look like a lance-like form, which is where the species got its name from.
What are the leaves of a cottonwood tree?
Leaves, Flowers and Fruit: Cottonwoods. Cottonwoods are easily identifiable by their glossy-green leaves that glint in the sun when rustled by the breeze. Cottonwood leaves are typically triangular with toothed and rounded edges, but the Narrowleaf Cottonwood has lance-like leaves. Cottonwoods are named for the cottony seeds the females send off.
Where do cottonwoods grow?
Cottonwoods prefer to grow near water waterways and moist areas. All cottonwoods are native to North America. Cottonwood is the state tree of Kansas and Wyoming. The Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoids) dominates eastern North America, stretching from New Hampshire to the Dakotas and south down to Texas and northern Florida.
What is the difference between a cottonwood and a poplar?
Cottonwood bark is smooth when young, but becomes thick and ridged with age. Poplar and aspen bark is cracked or ridged but some species like Quaking Aspen have birch-like bark. Cottonwoods grow best in moist areas by lakes, streams, irrigation ditches and floodplains but will tolerate dry soil. Poplars are widespread through their range and often form groves in barren, burned, or cleared areas. All are typically fast-growing, soft-wooded, short-lived trees. A cottonwood can shoot upwards to be over 100 feet high but only lives 70 to 100 years. As they age, their thick limbs are prone to wood decay and can break during harsh storms. Eastern Cottonwoods were one the few savanna trees to withstand prairie fires due to their thick bark and tendency to grow near water.
What are the cottonwoods in the prairie?
The majestic cottonwoods of the prairie with their rounded, spreading, crowns appear rather different. Every June in eastern and western North America, it is common to see their cottony seeds drifting in the breeze. Cottonwoods, aspens and poplars are all a part of the genus Populus. Advertisement.
What is cottonwood pulp used for?
Cottonwood and poplar pulp is used in papermaking. Numerous animals and birds eat the buds, seeds and twigs of poplar and cottonwood trees. Pioneers traveling across the prairies welcomed the sight of cottonwood groves since their presence signaled water was nearby. Some types of cottonwoods, poplars and aspens are planted for their beauty.
What is a poplar leaf?
Leaves, Flowers and Fruit: The Poplar Family. A Balsam Poplar leaf in autumn displaying the typical triangular leaf shape, and rounded, toothed edges. All poplar family species have simple alternate, glossy-green leaves with rounded and toothed edges that turn golden in fall. The leafstalks are long; some have flattened leafstalks ...
Where do quaking aspen trees grow?
Quaking Aspen trees. Poplars grow mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. Relatives of cottonwood include the White Poplar, Black Poplar, European Aspen and Chinese Necklace Poplar of Europe and Asia, and the Balsam Poplar, Bigtooth Aspen and Quaking Aspen of North America. Advertisement.
How long do you season Cottonwood?
You must be aware that cottonwood requires humid moisture and high temperature to grow. In the middle of growing, the wood retains a lot of moisture, making wood hard to burn its raw form.
How long does it take for cottonwood to dry?
It is super easy to split as the moisture allows the cutting tool to penetrate deeply. It takes about 3 to 6 months to dry the cottonwood and make it ready to use.
Why does cottonwood burn?
This is because of the large amount of moisture stored in it. On the other hand, if you are using dry cottonwood, it will burn amazing. The drier your cottonwood is, the better it will burn.
What is the shape of a tree trunk?
The tree has a thick and coarse trunk that appears rough. The tree leaves are triangular and have a tooth-like structure.
What does a symlink look like?
It requires a lot of moisture, a humid environment, and scorching heat to rise. They look like small blobs of snow when they are growing on small trees.
Why is wood good for cooking?
It can maintain a steady temperature which makes it easier to make food. It is astonishing to observe how fast the wood burns and the food cooks on it.
Which tree grows the fastest?
Cottonwood is one of the fastest-growing trees in the United States. When cottonwood fosters in adequate humidity-level and temperature, it grows even faster.
What are the characteristics of a cottonwood tree?
Common Characteristics of Cottonwood Trees. Cottonwood, also known as the poplar, it is named for its cotton-like seeds. When the seeds are in the air it seems like it is snowing. Cottonwoods are used as shade trees and grow naturally throughout the United States.
Where is cottonwood native to?
The leaves are triangular shaped and have coarsely toothed edges. It is found throughout the eastern United States and southern Canada. The Fremont’s Cottonwood is native to the southwestern United States ...
Why does cottonwood burn clean?
Cottonwood firewood will burn clean when it is seasoned properly. When green it is difficult to burn and will smolder and make smoke because it holds a lot of water.
What is the BTU rating of cottonwood?
On the low end you have Ohio Buckeye at 12.1 million BTUs per cord and Linden Basswood burning at 13.8 million. Cottonwood has a BTU rating of 15.8-16.8.
Why is cottonwood so hard to split?
When green, Cottonwood is very wet, stringy and heavy, which makes it hard to move and difficult to split. The wood just seems to absorb a maul or splitting axe rather than splitting apart.
What is cottonwood sap used for?
Cottonwood sap is used in folk medicines and massage oils. Some Native American tribes have been said to used their sap as a sweetener in teas, pudding and syrups.
How to get rid of sticky bud on cottonwood tree?
Recommended ways to remove the sticky mess is with WD-40, finger nail polish, baking soda paste, or mayonnaise.
Overview
Uses
- Members of the Poplar family, cottonwoods were important to Native Americans who used all parts of the tree. Their trunks were used as dugout canoes. The bark provided forage for horses and a bitter, medicinal tea for their owners. Sweet sprouts and inner bark were a food source for both humans and animals. The trees also served as trail markers and meeting places for both N…
Reproduction
- Cottonwood trees produce male and female parts on separate trees. In spring, female trees produce tiny, red blooms that are followed by masses of seeds with a cottony covering. The cotton-covered seeds create a significant litter problem. Male cottonwood trees dont produce seeds.
Cultivation
- Cottonwoods need a location with full sun and lots of moisture. They grow particularly well along lakes and rivers as well as in marshy areas. The trees prefer sandy or silty soil, but will tolerate most anything but heavy clay. They are hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 2 through 9.
Issues
- Planting cottonwood trees in home landscapes leads to problems. These messy trees have weak wood and are prone to disease. In addition, their massive size makes them out of scale for all but the largest landscapes.
Benefits
- Cottonwood trees are the fastest growing trees in North America. A young tree can add 6 feet or more in height each year. This rapid growth leads to weak wood that is easily damaged.
Description
- The trees can grow to well over 100 feet tall, with eastern species sometimes reaching 190 feet. The canopy of a mature tree spreads about 75 feet wide, and the diameter of the trunk averages about 6 feet at maturity.
Management
- If you already have a cottonwood tree in the landscape, pruning may be necessary to control its growth. The best time to prune cottonwoods is late winter while the tree is dormant. Prune for proper growth while the tree is a young sapling. Its rapid growth soon puts the branches out of reach.
Prevention
- Always use clean pruners when pruning cottonwoods. The tree is prone to disease, and dirty tools can introduce bacteria, fungal spores and insect eggs into the pruning wound. Wipe them down with a cloth saturated with alcohol or a disinfectant cleaner, or dip them in boiling water.
Preparation
- Begin by removing all the branches from the lower one-third of the tree. Using long-handled pruners, make the cuts close to the trunk, cutting at an angle that slants down and away from the tree. Leave stubs of about one-quarter inch.