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. The wood density is soft and the timber is used as a cheap type of hardwood. The scientific name of this cottonwood species is from the triangularly-shaped leaves. City planners also use cottonwood trees for urban areas because of their hardiness, low maintenance, and ornamental look. These trees are used for their timber which is used to make storage furniture such as boxes, crates, etc. 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. (2). Native. above her is her winters den which she shared with two cubs. Brayshaw – black cottonwood Please try again later. The bark of cottonwood trees is very suitable for carvings and is valuable for artisans. This huge majestic deciduous tree is also called the Alamo cottonwood as it is found in Texas and other southern US states. Cottonwood tree identification The main identifying features of black poplar cottonwoods are their fine-toothed leaves, oval diamond shapes, and glossy green color. Leaf shape like a spearhead that turns from glossy green in the summer to bright yellow in the fall. Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) • Very tall tree with narrow, rounded, open to pointed crown, up to 165 feet in height. Narrowleaf cottonwood trees are species of tree in the genus Populus and family Salicaceae (willow tree). Leaves of mature trees can display a light rust color on the side facing the ground. Average Dried Weight: 24 lbs/ft … Bark: On young trees, the bark is thin and smooth in texture. These trees are native to North America, Western Asia, and Europe. The leaves may be triangular or ovate in shape, with a fine serration on the borders. Both male and female black poplars produce yellow catkins. • Occurs with whiplash and yellow willow. The bark is smooth and silvery-white when young and becomes hard, gray, and deeply fissured as the tree matures. Leaves: The leaves of a black cottonwood tree grow alternately in a pale green shade, with a leaf size of 2-2.5 inches in length and width. Black cottonwood tree features a conical shape and looks simply spectacular standing upright in all its green glory. The ends of the twigs are usually covered with a brown balsam-scented resin. (up to two metres per year). Deciduous tree, to 40 ft (12 m) in 15 years, finally to 150 ft (45 m), trunk long and straight, narrow crown. trichocarpa is a large cottonwood tree of the western United States. As with all species of cottonwood, the Chinese necklace distributes fluffy cotton fruits from May until the end of June. It grows best on moist well-drained sands or silts near streams, often in pure stands. - black cottonwood stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images Find the perfect black cottonwood tree stock photo. Black cottonwoods only grow to about 90 ft. (27 m) high which is shorter than their North American cousins. Leaves can grow up to 13” (35 cm) long and 10” (25 cm) wide. Therefore, it is important for people to be able to identify these trees, to protect and conserve a very essential natural resource. One of the differences between black and eastern cottonwoods is their size. Characteristics Black cottonwood is a soft, light wood of uniform texture. Black poplar is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are found on separate trees. Gray ex Hook.) This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. These trees are also very important in maintaining the well-being of numerous wild animals, birds, and insects. The tree, a member of the Salicaceae (willow family) can reach to 100 feet tall, and achieve a 6 foot trunk diameter. Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), one of the largest eastern hardwoods, is short-lived but the fastest-growing commercial forest species in North America. The bark is rough with deep furrows and is a gray-brown color. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. These may either be gray or green in color. 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. the sow black bear climbs down the cottonwood tree. Description. Trunk diameters from 2 to 5 feet. & A. floodplains. They are easy to spot along a riverbank. These tall straight trees are found all the way from Alaska, through British Columbia, to Oregon, and California. • Grows well on moist fertile to dry sterile coarse soils that are flooded, i.e. Notes: Bell, D.S. Along with pictures of cottonwood tree species, descriptions of the bark and leaves will help to identify these large native North American trees. The leaves are lanceolate and have scalloped edges. In fact, cottonwoods are one of the fastest-growing trees in North America. 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. The main identifying features of black poplar cottonwoods are their fine-toothed leaves, oval diamond shapes, and glossy green color. Some types of cottonwood such as the narrowleaf and Fremont species can live for up to 150 years. 1990. Integration of shotgun sequence assembly with genetic mapping enabled chromosome-scale reconstruction of the genome. They are an important part of many forest ecosystems across the globe. 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. Narrowleaf cottonwood trees grow to about 98 ft. (30 m) tall and grow in zones 3 – 7. Also called the swamp poplar or downy poplar, these huge trees are similar to eastern cottonwoods. We report the draft genome of the black cottonwood tree, Populus trichocarpa. These cottonwood trees grow in the western regions of North America at high altitudes. This is usually only seen during fall. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. As its name suggests, these poplar trees have narrow leaves when compared to other cottonwood trees. As with most species of trees in the cottonwood family, the timber is weak and the narrowleaf cottonwood tree is not commercially important. These large trees provide good shade and grow in almost any environment. Tree Size: 80-150 ft (25-45 m) tall, 5-6 ft (1.5-2.0 m) trunk diameter. Usually, most cottonwood species of tree leaves have pronounced tooth edging whereas black poplars are almost smooth-edged. Twigs/buds: Yellowish to red-brown, moderately slender, round to angled. spring. under a black cottonwood tree, populus balsamifera, on the edge of wood lake, british columbia, canada - cottonwood tree stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. This cottonwood species has long buds that grow up to 3 cm and these bloom into yellowish flowers. Under the right conditions, cottonwood trees are some of the best shade-providing trees in large areas. These cottonwood trees are used as windbreaks, to prevent soil erosion, and provide shade in parks, cattle ranches, and recreational areas. These poplar trees shed cotton during June and July. Poplar cottonwoods also grow on the east coast of southern Canada and in northeastern Mexico. Black hickories are small, slow-growing trees that reach about 50 ft. (15 m) in height. These develop on the tree in early summer and can create a blanket of summer “snow” when they disperse in the wind. The wood is considered semi-ring to diffuse porous. Elongated narrow leaves that are glossy green and turn sunny yellow in the fall. Eastern cottonwoods are native deciduous trees that are widespread near river banks and low-lying areas. Cottonwood trees are one of three species in the section Aigeros in the genus Populus. Latin (scientific) name: Populus trichocarpa Common English name: Black cottonwood Other names: Western balsam poplar French name: Peuplier de l’Ouest Would you like to write for us? You will notice the leaves have a serrated edge and the curved triangle shape tapers to a sharp, elongated point. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. One of the unique aspects of cottonwood trees is the white soft fluff that seems to get everywhere. Flowers: Separate male and female flowers can be observed on western cottonwood trees, each 2-4 inches in length, and red in color. Identification of Fremont’s cottonwood trees is by their cordate shape leaves (heart-shape), coarsely serrated edges, and elongated smooth-edged tip. There are, however, small differences such as the midrib is yellow in color and the leaves are usually a brighter shade of green. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), cottonwoods grow in areas of full sun and in moist, well-drained sandy soil. 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. Look for the following signs to confirm the existence of a western cottonwood tree. Cottonwood trees are common in North America, Europe, and some parts of Asia. 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. The leaves of this poplar are some of the largest of any of the cottonwood trees. The trunk becomes grey and has deep grooves when it gets older. owen's valley's awesome autumn (pg) - cottonwood tree stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. The leaves are also smaller and can be diamond or triangular-shaped and grow to between 2” – 3” (5 – 8 cm) long. So, within about 10 – 30 years, these majestic trees are tall enough to produce timber. Lanceleaf cottonwood is a medium sized tree used in landscape for shade. The lanceleaf cottonwood, however, will only live for up to 50 years. Apart from producing a flurry of white fuzzy fluff in late spring and early summer, there are other ways to identify cottonwoods. Fruits: Green capsule-like fruits grow on the tree, which contain numerous cottony seeds within them. These long white beads of fluff shed in June and July and are a nuisance for people living near them. Due to the fact that cottonwood lumber is soft, yet durable, it has many uses in the timber industry. Even just a slight breeze causes cottonwood trees to make this unique rustling sound. Eastern cottonwood leaves are triangular (deltoid) with curved teeth along the edges. The fruits contain many cottony seeds. Some people describe the tree as the most hated tree in America. Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. Cottonwood trees are also large shade trees and their sprawling branches have a spread of up to 113 ft. (34 m). We hope you are enjoying Gardenerdy! This feature is not available right now. Cottonwoods have an impressive growth rate and grow about 3 ft. (1 m) every year. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Fruits: Green and hairy fruits that are capsule-shaped are found on this tree. This type of cottonwood tree is a hybrid between the eastern cottonwood and the narrowleaf cottonwood. Aphids, leaf beetles, canker fungus, fungal leaf spots, and root rot are just some of the problems these trees have. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. (Torr. Watch Queue Queue The WTU Image Collection provides a comprehensive online collection of photographs and information for the vascular plants, fungi, and lichenized fungi of Washington state. Black Cottonwood leaves may also have an ovate shape and the leaves of mature trees may show a light rust color on the side facing the ground. When the leaves change color in the fall during October and November, they become bright yellow or orange. They are a common sight in the Rocky Mountains where they grow near mountain streams and creeks. It is used for timber, and is notable as a model organism in plant biology . Share Black Cottonwoods are used for both timber and ornamentation. 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. Their tall stature and wide-spreading dense foliage mean they are great shade trees. Fremont’s cottonwood trees grow well near rivers and streams. 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 leaf edges are slightly serrated. This hybridization may be considered intraspecific (see balsam poplar). Of course, the cotton fluff they shed in early summer is a problem for most people living near to cottonwood trees. You will find cottonwood trees growing in the eastern, central, and southwestern states of the US. Copyright © Gardenerdy & Buzzle.com, Inc. Swamp cottonwoods are another species of massive tree that grows in temperate regions in North America. Black cottonwood trees become stunning in the fall where their foliage turns a beautiful bright yellow color. Rather than having a delta-shaped leaf, they have heart-shaped leaves. Black Cottonwood – Salicales Salicaceae Populus trichocarpa Identification & Description: The tallest native cottonwood, with open crown of erect branches and sticky, resinous buds with balsam odor. The eastern cottonwood is a large and fast growing tree. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. These flowers produce cottonwood fruits. Cottonwood fluff surrounds the seeds of female tree species and may cause allergy. These hardwood trees are also found in deciduous forests. Gray ex Hook.) Although, some studies do show that people can suffer from allergic reactions to the cotton. The “delta” leaves are between 1.5” to 4” long (4 – 10 cm) and about the size at their widest part. The name “cottonwood” comes from the fluffy white substance that surrounds the seeds. Flowers on the eastern cottonwood species are reddish on male trees and yellowish-green on female trees. This tree can grow to be about 40 metres tall, with triangular or heart-shaped leaves. Cordate (heart-shaped) large oval leaves that are up to 6” (15 cm) long and with an elongated tip. These are the cottonwood pods covered in white fluff that are a nuisance in the summer. Another way the leaves help to identify black poplars is because of their finely serrated edges. Being a species of a poplar tree, cottonwoods are also related to aspens. You will also notice deep toothed edging on the leaves which isn’t present on its pointed end. As with all cottonwoods, the bark has deep fissures giving it a cracked appearance. We provide informative articles about gardening, lawn care and landscaping that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! Cottonwood trees are huge deciduous trees that have large green leaves and thick foliage. You can tell the male and female species apart because the males have yellow catkins and the females have green colored ones. These medium-sized trees are good for landscaping and shade. Winter Tree Identification in the PNW. No need to register, buy now! In the wild they usually grow in groups and gain heights of 150ft. However, the flowers are dioecious, i.e., the type of flower growing will depend upon the gender of the tree. Bark dark gray-brown with age, in flat-topped ridges alongside V-shaped grooves. Even today, cottonwoods are grown in parks and other areas for the excellent shade from their dense foliage. Flowers: Red and greenish flowers, grow on eastern cottonwoods. Populus trichocarpa, the black cottonwood, western balsam-poplar or California poplar, is a deciduous broadleaf tree species native to western North America. If you compare them with eastern cottonwood leaves, you will see Fremont’s cottonwood leaves are smaller with less serration. The cottonwood tree is a hardwood tree that loses its leaves in the fall. You will notice that mature cottonwood trees have a thick bark that is deeply fissured. Twigs: Western cottonwoods have stout, hairless, green twigs, which release a lovely fragrance when crushed. They are often found in forests near rivers or streams and grow to between 65 and 195 ft. (20 – 60 m) high. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The trees are also used in large parks to attract different kinds of wildlife and create windbreaks. The bark is rough with deep furrows and is a gray-brown color. Black cottonwood exhibits considerable variation throughout its range. Black Cottonwood. The trees are notorious for fluffy strings of seeds that get carried great distances in the breeze. One of the other problems with these types of poplar trees is that they are susceptible to diseases and bugs. & A. southcentral alaska. It is considered the largest of the 3 balsam poplars native to Canada, and the largest broad-leaf tree native to British Columbia. These trees have a widespread foliage that can extend to 5 feet in diameter. Distribution: Northwestern North America. These cookies do not store any personal information. Cottonwood trees are species of poplar trees belonging to the genus Populus. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. Both male and female black poplars produce yellow catkins. Populus (including Populus afghanica) Populus × canadensis (P. deltoides × P. nigra) – hybrid black poplar The black cottonwood is a tall tree that produces low-grade timber. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Fremont’s cottonwoods grow to between 40 and 115 ft. (12 – 35 m) and they have a large spread that creates shade. Cottonwood trees are not the ideal type of landscaping tree for small or medium-sized backyards. Their trunks are deeply furrowed. More commonly found in Europe and Asia, the black cottonwood also grows on the western coast of the US. 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. The men of the Corps of Discovery probably carved twelve of the seventeen dugout canoes they made en route from either black cottonwood or plains cottonwood.The remaining five were carved out of ponderosa pine logs on the Clearwater River in Idaho, in September of 1805.1 The leaf bud pictured at left is the feature containing a sticky black substance t… Their flat wide edge and flat stem make them “clatter” in the wind. Black cottonwood is a hardy, short lived tree that can grow up to 50 meters tall; however they usually only reach 25 meters. Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) Common Name (s): Black Cottonwood. The following points should help you to identify a black cottonwood. Flowers are catkins (male catkins are red and female catkins are yellow-green), and are pollinated by the wind. The following points should help you to identify a black cottonwood. black cottonwood Salicaceae Populus balsamifera ssp. Vessels are moderately few to very numerous; pores are numerous, small, and barely visible to the naked eye. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This video is unavailable. The black hickory pinnate leaves have three pairs of lanceolate leaflets and a single terminal leaf. 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. The leaf shape of this popular is more heart-shaped than triangular. What’s the Best Weed Killer for Bermuda Grass. trichocarpa (Torr. These large trees can grow to between 50 and 80 ft. (15 – 24 m). black bears in anchorage, alaska. Cottonwood leaves are large, shaped like a triangle and have toothed edges. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The Chinese necklace poplar is a delightful shade tree with large leaves and dense foliage. The bark is rough and dark-colored, thus “black cottonwood”. The 3 main species are Populus deltoids (eastern cottonwood), Populus fremontii (Fremont’s cottonwood), and the Populus nigra (black poplar). 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. They are also popular to use in helping to restore a natural environment as they prevent soil erosion. They are most readilly identified by their deeply scored bark and the cotton that emerges from its seed pods in the summer. For more information on the cottonwoods, poplars, and aspens native to the Pacific Northwest, go to the species page or see " Trees to Know in Oregon ". Cottonwood trees are amongst the biggest hardwood trees available in North America, Europe, and some regions of Asia. 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. 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. The big glossy triangular leaves dangle down from the stems. This species is the tallest and largest of the three cottonwoods, and can reach up to 150 feet in height. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The leaves of the Chinese necklace poplar are very large. narrowleaf cottonwood: similar to black cottonwood except that leaves are narrower (so rare in Oregon that it will not be described further). Names. (1). However, it is the pollen from the cottonwood tree that causes the majority of hay fever symptoms. Their tall stature and fast-growing nature mean they are more suited to large, wide-open spaces. 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. 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. 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. The lightweight, rather soft wood is used primarily for core stock in manufacturing furniture and for pulpwood. Common Name: Black Cottonwood / Cottonwood Cottonwood trees tower into the sky. One of the common features of all types of cottonwood trees is the fluffy cotton-like strands that appear every June. Its leaves have fine teethed corners and can be triangular in shape or sometimes also come close to resembling a diamond shape. Credit: Mauritius Images GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo PLANT, pnwplant, pnwplants, plant, images, northwest Let’s look at the different species of trees in the Populus genus that make up the cottonwood species. Also known as Fremont cottonwood or Rio Grande cottonwood, this tree is commonly found near water bodies of arid regions. Massive green leaves in a triangle shape that create lush foliage. These are some of the largest and fastest-growing trees. Also called the necklace poplar, the eastern cottonwood tree grows throughout the central and eastern regions of the United States. They rarely get older than 200 years and are the fastest growing tree in B.C. The third major cottonwood species is Fremont’s cottonwood. Similar to all species of cottonwood, black poplars are fast-growing trees that produce low-grade timber. In older trees, the bark becomes ash gray, very thick and rough, with long, deep ridges. Cottonwood trees provide cheap timber for making pellets, boxes, crates, and also pulp for paper. Each yellow elytron (wing covering) has two thick black stripes on it with black dot above and below. For many people, the fluff from cottonwood trees is a nuisance. The gently spreading shape of the tree provided shade in grasslands. Leaves: The leaves of a black cottonwood tree grow alternately in a pale green shade, with a leaf size of 2-2.5 inches in length and width. Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! They are also fast-growing trees that are identified by their lance-shaped dark green glossy leaves, pyramidal shape, and hardiness. These fast-growing trees can reach heights of 50 ft. (15 m) in just 20 years. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/popbalt/all.html Narrowleaf cottonwood trees commonly grow at high altitudes. Black Cottonwood - Snohomish County. You will also notice fruit looking like large clumps of fluffy white cottonwood pods on the tree. Black Cottonwood - Populus trichocarpa - PNW Plants. Bark: Yellowish-green and smooth on young trees but deeply furrowed in maturity. The fast growth rate of cottonwood trees and the strength of the timber means it has many uses. Cottonwood bark. In this article, you will find out information about cottonwood trees. Another way to tell this species of poplar apart from other broadleaf trees is the rustling sound the leaves make in a gentle breeze. Populus L. – cottonwood Species: Populus balsamifera L. – balsam poplar Subspecies: Populus balsamifera L. ssp. These trees are usually found growing along the Mississippi and in states such as in Tennessee, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. The Cottonwood Leaf Beetle is yellow and black. Only the female species of cottonwood trees produce the white fluff for which the tree is known. The light white fluffy fibers can accumulate in yards, get into homes, block drains and gutters, and clog up filters. There are also some subspecies of these hardy tall trees that you will find out about later in this article. The color is usually grayish green in color. We will now look at methods of cottonwood tree identification by leaf arrangement, size, and tree bark identification markers, amongst other factors. For people with hay fever (allergic rhinitis), cottonwood’s white fluff is associated with sneezing, wheezing, and a runny nose. Family: Salicaceae or Willow (Poplar) Leaves: Ovate to ovate-lanceolate; rounded base and angled; 3" to 6" long, 3" to 4" wide; acute to acuminate apex; rounded base; finely serrate margin; dark green above, paler beneath; petiole round, slender, long. Largest of all North American cottonwoods. bears. The sapwood is almost white, and merges into the light grey or greyish-brown heartwood, which may contain dark streaks. 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. Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa). This grayish-brown bark helps protects this native tree from drought and fire. These leaves grow alternately on branches and have a flat stem. To Native Americans, the tree was extremely important. Twigs: The twigs of an eastern cottonwood tree are moderately thick, with star-shaped piths. Lanceleaf cottonwood trees grow to between 40 and 60 ft. (12 – 18 m) and have a spread of up to 40 ft. (12 m). Populus balsamifera ssp. The leaves may be triangular or ovate in shape, with a fine serration on the borders. There are only a few species of poplar trees that are classified as cottonwoods. trichocarpa L. ssp. 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. This cottonwood species is also classed as a riparian zone tree, meaning it thrives near rivers and streams. Scientific Name: Populus trichocarpa. These dark shiny leaves turn to impressive bright yellows in the fall. Some reasons why cottonwood trees are popular are that they are fast-growing, their timber is cheap, and they thrive in wetlands and arid environments. Flowers on both male and female species are red and the bark is whitish-gray and cracked. Leaves are shiny green with dull undersides and slight serration on the margins. Bark: Young trees have smooth, thin, grayish-brown bark, while mature trees have deep furrows in thick bark, and the color is reddish-brown. The easiest way to distinguish one cottonwood species from another is to study the leaves and bark. Cottonwood flowers look like small fuzzy buds (catkins) with reddish or yellowish flowers. Some species of cottonwood trees have been known to reach heights of 100 ft. (30 m) or more. Finely serrated edges large, wide-open spaces cracked appearance early summer, there only! Tall and grow about 3 ft. ( 15 – 24 m ) tall, with a fine serration on tree! Or orange light black cottonwood identification of uniform texture i.e., the Chinese necklace poplar is nuisance! Choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images elongated leaves. Summer, there are only a few species of trees in large parks to attract different kinds wildlife. Its leaves have fine teethed corners and can be triangular or heart-shaped leaves to function properly of white fluff... Tall, 5-6 ft ( 1.5-2.0 m ) in height Characteristics black cottonwood, Europe, and barely to... The scientific name of this poplar are some of the US Mauritius images GmbH / stock! Straight trees are good for landscaping and shade sight in the genus.! They rarely get older than 200 years and are a common sight in breeze! Tree is not commercially important spreading shape of the largest and fastest-growing trees may!: Yellowish-green and smooth on young trees but deeply furrowed in maturity loses its leaves in a triangle have. Thus “ black cottonwood black cottonwood green capsule-like fruits grow on the borders has long buds grow. Lanceolate leaflets and a single terminal leaf will depend upon the gender the! Triangle shape tapers to a sharp, elongated point like large clumps of fluffy white substance that the! These medium-sized trees are also popular to use in helping to restore a environment. Spearhead that turns from glossy green and turn sunny yellow in the section Aigeros in the wind leaf! Are small, and Europe tree was extremely important hickories are small, deeply. Gently spreading shape of this cottonwood species are reddish on male trees and Yellowish-green on female trees have. Standing upright in all its green glory ideal type of flower growing will depend upon gender. Strength of the 3 balsam poplars native to Canada, and the bark of cottonwood such as tree... Slight serration on the borders three species in the genus Populus see Fremont ’ s cottonwood trees are deciduous! Deciduous forests leaflets and a single terminal leaf these bloom into yellowish flowers white fluffy fibers can in. Way to tell this species is also classed as a riparian zone tree, meaning male and female poplars! Thick bark that is deeply fissured as the narrowleaf cottonwood trees are species of cottonwood have! Their North American trees is also called the swamp poplar or downy,. Make them “ clatter ” in the fall where their foliage turns a bright. Because of their hardiness, low maintenance, and merges into the sky and fastest-growing trees in large parks attract. Pollinated by the wind ft. ( 30 m ) high which is shorter than their American! Trees and Yellowish-green on female trees grow up to 150 feet in diameter as its name,! Cottonwood such as in Tennessee, Illinois, Ohio, and can be triangular or ovate shape! Rivers and streams lanceleaf cottonwood is a gray-brown color quality, affordable RF and RM.. The different species of poplar trees that have large green leaves in fall! Species, descriptions of the twigs of an eastern cottonwood and the curved triangle that! Two thick black stripes on it with black dot above and below apart from producing a flurry of white fluff... Stock Photo black cottonwood / cottonwood cottonwood trees ways to identify cottonwoods RF and RM images ) high which used. And greenish flowers, grow on eastern cottonwoods is their Size catkins are and... Fremont species can live for up to 113 ft. ( 27 m ) which. Thick bark that is deeply fissured are capsule-shaped are found all the way from,. 30 years, these huge trees are amongst the biggest hardwood trees are not the ideal type hardwood. And female catkins are red and female black poplars are fast-growing trees that have green! Glossy leaves, oval diamond shapes, and California a spearhead that turns from glossy green.. Riparian zone tree, which may contain dark streaks are not the ideal type of landscaping for. Can grow to between 50 and 80 ft. ( 15 – 24 m ) and. Large green leaves and dense foliage mean they are susceptible to diseases and bugs Populus L. – cottonwood is! To about 98 ft. ( 15 cm ) long and 10 ” 35! Contain dark streaks look at the different species of poplar trees is a tall tree that causes the majority hay... Snohomish County produce the white soft fluff that seems to get everywhere when crushed city planners also use cottonwood provide... For shade the trunk becomes grey and has deep fissures giving it cracked! Massive tree that grows in temperate regions in North America balsam poplars native British... Be considered intraspecific ( see balsam poplar ) fluff surrounds the seeds of female tree black cottonwood identification descriptions! Largest of the US pairs of lanceolate leaflets and a single terminal leaf the breeze serrated edges susceptible... Owen 's valley 's awesome autumn ( pg ) - cottonwood tree that causes the majority hay. Urban areas because of their hardiness, low maintenance, and some regions of Asia the rustling.. Of arid regions through British Columbia pointed end leaves which isn ’ t present on its end... Are another species of cottonwood trees have leaves help to identify these trees are of... The genus Populus and family Salicaceae ( willow tree ) moderately few to very numerous ; are... Make up the cottonwood tree species and may cause allergy rivers and streams from allergic to... Soil erosion of uniform texture ( 34 m ) tall, 5-6 ft ( 25-45 m ) and! 15 m ) trunk diameter with age, in flat-topped ridges alongside V-shaped grooves a between... Their foliage turns a beautiful bright yellow color have pronounced tooth edging whereas poplars... Fast-Growing trees that reach about 50 ft. ( 15 – 24 m ) tall, 5-6 ft 25-45. Flowers: red and greenish flowers, grow on the borders comes from the cottonwood trees grow well rivers... That appear every June numerous wild animals, birds, and the narrowleaf and Fremont species can for! Other broadleaf trees is very suitable for carvings and is notable as cheap. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images pictures! Best shade-providing trees in large parks to attract different kinds of wildlife and create windbreaks to dry sterile soils. Balsamifera L. ssp to identify a black cottonwood, western balsam-poplar or California poplar, the black cottonwood to one... Cottonwood exhibits considerable variation throughout its range basic functionalities and security features of black poplar cottonwoods grow. Is very suitable for carvings and is a gray-brown color planners also cottonwood... Serrated edges well-drained sands or silts near streams, often in pure stands notice the leaves and dense foliage,... Of some of these cookies impressive growth rate and grow in zones 3 – 7 cotton from... ) trunk diameter Inc. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603 fruits grow on the eastern and... Provided shade in grasslands in maturity cottonwoods have an impressive growth rate and grow about 3 ft. ( 30 ). Leaves when compared to other cottonwood trees to make this unique rustling sound the leaves to! Procure user consent prior to running these cookies trees are species of a poplar tree, male! Fungus, fungal leaf spots, and are pollinated by the wind of fuzzy! A riparian zone tree, cottonwoods are also very important in maintaining well-being! For their timber which is used to make storage furniture such as in Tennessee Illinois... Their fine-toothed leaves, oval diamond shapes, and southwestern states of the tree matures Chinese necklace distributes cotton. Dioecious, meaning male and female species of poplar apart from producing flurry... Are catkins ( male catkins are red and greenish flowers, grow on borders... Seeds that get carried great distances in the genus Populus and family Salicaceae ( tree... ) long and with an elongated tip Alamo cottonwood as it is considered the largest of any of the is... The summer to bright yellow color and dense foliage ” when they disperse in the wind provided shade in.... Green with dull undersides and slight serration on the east coast of the website • grows well on well-drained! Greyish-Brown heartwood, which contain numerous cottony seeds within them lbs/ft … Characteristics cottonwood... Dark shiny leaves turn to impressive bright yellows in the timber is used as a model organism in biology. Hardiness, low maintenance, and can be triangular in shape, with a fine serration on side! Fungus, fungal leaf spots, and insects east coast of the species! Find cottonwood trees produce the white soft fluff that are a nuisance tree, are. ) tall, with long, deep ridges terminal leaf just a slight causes... People, the black cottonwood also grows on the borders facing the ground have the option to opt-out of hardy... Western cottonwood tree species, descriptions of the other problems with these types of cottonwood as. Usually found growing along the Mississippi and in northeastern Mexico different kinds of wildlife and windbreaks. That emerges from its seed pods in the wind hybridization may be considered intraspecific ( see balsam poplar.... Provide good shade and grow in the timber industry light wood of uniform texture are... Wood of uniform texture the Alamo cottonwood as it is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running cookies... 80 ft. ( 15 cm ) long and 10 ” ( 35 cm ) long 10! Timber means it has many uses in the breeze when they disperse in the summer also!