And does anybody reading this have any clue as to what I could do with all that fluff? Some species, such as the Fremont and narrowleaf cottonwoods, live up to 150 years. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. Very interesting and accurate article. They have broad, white trunks, bright green leaves in the summer and bright yellow leaves in the fall. Also, since the trees were few and far apart, they were used as markers or meeting places. Cottonwoods (Populus deltoids) are massive shade trees that grow naturally throughout the United States. Cottonwood (Populus deltoids), commonly called eastern cottonwood, is a fast-growingdeciduous tree that obtains an additional 6-feet of growth yearly and reaches a mature height and width of 100 feet. These trees are a part of many beautiful ecosystems, and have many uses. They are those large, stately trees that you most commonly seen in the western states. The wood from cottonwood trees is very soft and easy to work with, making it popular with carvers. Most commonly, cottonwoods are located in riparian zones near rivers and lakes, and they are sometimes used as an indicator species when people look for underground deposits of water. It grows best on moist well-drained sands or silts near streams, often in pure stands. This meant that finding shade or collecting firewood was a very difficult. Cottonwood trees are found primarily in North America, with a large percentage in the Midwestern United States. Cottonwood has been used for many things through the years including; shelving, framing, paneling, sub floors, crates, pallets, lowboy decks, saddles, and caskets. Cottonwoods produce hairy encapsulated fruit in dangling chains in the fall. Cottonwood trees get their name from the fluffy cotton-like seeds produced by the female tree. Poplars are sometimes referred to as ‘cottonless cottonwoods,’ but this is a misnomer. In fact, the trees can even survive droughts and forest fires. It has long been prized in the Great Plains where it … With a lifespan of around 100 years, an average cottonwood tree can easily grow to more than 100 feet in height. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Cottonwood trees (Populus deltoides) are fast-growing, majestic trees that grow well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. Is there something that I can actually use that stuff for, or do any companies use it that I could sell it to, or even give it to? Cottonwood leaves are triangular to diamond-like in shape, and they are a bright green on both sides, turning yellow and dropping in the fall and winter. The trees are very fast growing. 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. When it's windy and the seeds become airborne, it looks like it's snowing! Plant cottonwoods only if your house has a large expanse of outdoor land for maximum effect. And the higher quality cottonwood has been used in turning. Practically every part of the cottonwood tree was historically used, whether it was the wood for … Let’s look at some more information of these amazing creations of nature. Although cottonwood trees are really attractive and add to the appeal of their surroundings, their immense size makes them unsuitable for small yards. The Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoids) dominates eastern North America, stretching from New Hampshire to the Dakotas and south down to Texas and northern Florida. They are an important part of many forest ecosystems across the globe. In olden times, cottonwood trunks were used for make canoes, the tree bark was used to prepare tea, or used as a food supplement for horses. Copyright © Gardenerdy & Buzzle.com, Inc. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We hope you are enjoying Gardenerdy! If, however, your tree is young, or if an older tree's growth slows and the leaves are small, then you can support the cottonwood by fertilizing its soil in spring when the tree begins new growth. This may be kind of a silly question, but can you actually use the cottonwood tree cotton or fluff? Cottonwood has also historically been used as a source of timber for various construction projects, and as a source of firewood. Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. The rich yellow golden foliage in the fall, makes it a wonderful landscape addition. Could someone advise me, please? 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! What Should I Know About Tree Transplanting. 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. What I want to know is about the root system. 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! You have found the calling card of a tree that takes its name from this material: the cottonwood. Cottonwood tree seeds can make quite the mess, so it’s understandable to want them gone. In fact, Cisco says the seeds can sprout in just one day after hitting the ground. How can I stop cottonwood trees from producing cotton? The tree can have a trunk diameter of 6 feet, while the canopy can extend to more than 75 feet wide. Would you like to write for us? When I was growing up, my parents had some plains cottonwood trees out on our back 40, and my dad was always finding little pieces to carve on. When the seeds are in the air it seems like it is snowing. They can withstand very unpleasant environmental conditions, including frequent flooding, silt deposits, and poor soils. Learn more about cottonwood … Cottonwoods can also be grown as standalone trees in the garden. Eastern cottonwood (P. deltoides), nearly 30 metres (100 feet) tall, has thick glossy leaves. Cottonwood trees are huge deciduous trees that have large green leaves and thick foliage. Named after 19th century American explorer John C. Fremont, it is similar to the Eastern Cottonwood, differing mainly in the leaves having fewer, larger serrations on the leaf edge and small … The owner had a lot of water lying around on the paved area and it gradually seeped away. It is frequently made into medicine through infused oils or salves and is also used in perfumery. The thick bark of a cottonwood tree is a very good form of protection from heat and fire. Let me know if you find out any good uses for it though! When planting a cottonwood tree, gardeners should think about how the tree will impact the garden as it grows. I live next to her, with our yards divided by a metal fence and I also have a small paved area, which I don't want inundated with her runoff. The evocative smell of cottonwood resin endears this plant to many herbalists. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The … We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Maryann Glen for U.S. Most cottonwoods are found in riparian zones near rivers, lakes, or other fresh water sources. These capsules contain small seeds that are carried through the wind because of the ‘cotton’ found in the capsules. … Plant cottonwoods only if your house has a large expanse of outdoor land for maximum effect. The Fremont Cottonwood, also known as the Western Cottonwood or the Rio Grande Cottonwood, Populus fremontii, occurs in California east to Utah and Arizona and south into northwest Mexico. The toughness of the cottonwood tree has made it a popular choice for landscaping in urban areas and along highways and roads. The Cottonwood seeds are attached to structures that resemble tufts of cotton and this allows the seeds to spread over long distances in the wind before settling to ground. These trees are extremely important to maintain many ecosystems, and protect a large number of endangered flora and fauna. The snows of June consists of “cotton” from the cottonwood trees: small bits of cotton-like fibers enclosing a small green cottonwood seed. These trees are often planted in nature reserves, because they become suitable homes for animals, birds, and insects such as bees, eagles, raccoons, squirrels, etc. Three species of cottonwood tree are recognized in this genus, and these northern hemisphere natives can be found in a range of locations. Cottonwoods are also grown as ornamentals, and some garden supply stores carry cottonwood seedlings for gardeners. exciting challenge of being a wiseGEEK researcher and writer. Aigeiros Populus fremontii in fall color Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Rosids Order: Malpighiales Family: Salicaceae Genus: Populus Section: Populus sect. Look for the male 'Siouxland' variety, which grows 2 feet to 3 feet per year, and you’ll have a cottonwood tree minus the cotton. Let us look at some of the more interesting cottonwood tree facts, in this Gardenerdy article. Fish and Wildlife Service at FWS.gov The Eastern Cottonwood is one of the largest trees in North America ranging from southern Canada to the eastern United States. Populus sect. Also, the seeds may contribute to allergic reactions. I really have a love/hate relationship with the cottonwood tree in my yard -- I love it because its gorgeous, and I get the best pictures off of it, but I hate it because the roots are really tearing up the rest of my yard, and the amount of fluff that that thing sheds every year is truly incredible. It is winter in Perth, Australia and that's the rainy season. These humongous trees are a major part of American forest ecosystems, especially those that are near water bodies such as rivers and lakes. My neighbor has planted several of these trees which fit the description, but they are only three or four years old. They thrive alongside streams, rivers, and lowland areas. What Is A Cottonwood Tree? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Therefore, spreading awareness about this unique tree can be a great step towards a greener and cleaner future. They have broad trunks with thick, deeply fissured bark and triangular or diamond shaped leaves that are green on both sides. Necklace Cottonwood Necklace cottonwood (scientific name: populous lasiocarpa) is a type of cottonwood tree that originates from China. An established cottonwood tree doesn't need fertilizer on a regular basis; fertilizer can cause too much soft, tender growth that damages easily. There's just something about the texture and consistency of the wood that feels good to the hand, and makes for a good, solid piece. One of the common features of all types of cottonwood trees is the fluffy cotton-like strands that appear every June. You can surf the web at any time and find fine art and bowls that have been created from cottonwood burl, and burl cluster. But this is a job you don’t want to DIY. The bark of cottonwoods is gray, and it tends to be deeply ridged and grooved. The black cottonwood is indigenous to our area and is the fastest growing native tree in North America. The high rate of growth compromises on the strength of the wood, making it vulnerable to decay, fungal infections like blight, and pests such as borer. And with all the fluff that it's got, you'd think that there would be some craft or something that it could be used for. In most cases, you are seeing the seeds from Cottonwood trees. A stand of cottonwoods can be used to create a privacy barrier between two properties, with leaves which will shimmer and dance with the breeze, adding visual interest. In the genus Populus, a number of difficult-to-distinguish trees: Populus angustifolia (narrowleaf cottonwood), in the Great Basin Populus heterophylla (swamp cottonwood), in the eastern United States Populus trichocarpa (black cottonwood), in the Pacific Northwest of North America The usable portion of the tree measures 31" in diameter x 27 feett x 24" in diameter. As such we shall now learn a few interesting facts about eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), Fremont’s cottonwood (Populus fremontii), and black poplar (Populus nigra). Some of them are nearly 20 feet high. This is the Eastern cottonwood; the botanical name is Populus deltoides. Could someone advise how far the roots travel and would they be likely to cause a problem in a small paved area? These trees can grow very tall, casting a formidable shadow, and they can also develop large roots which damage pools, walkways, and foundations. Cottonwood trees are male and female, and only the female types form seeds (and cotton). Wood pulp of the tree is used to make high quality paper, or the wood is used to make boxes and crates. A cottonwood tree is a tree in the genus Populus. Also known as the poplar, the cottonwood tree is named as such for its seeds that look much like cotton. Cottonwood, also known as the poplar, it is named for its cotton-like seeds. Cottonwood trees were a great resource for early pioneers. The light seeds are carried by wind, for propagation, and can spread up to 6 miles away. Narrowleaf cottonwood trees generate large amounts of suckers from their, which can cause excess saplings in the location. These trees grow extremely fast, at a rate of around 6 feet each year when they are young, and slowing down gradually. Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), one of the largest eastern hardwoods, is short-lived but the fastest-growing commercial forest species in North America. Sprouts and inner bark of the trees were used as a food ingredient. A tree of the riverbank and water’s edge, cottonwood is an opportunist, sending down its root thin as a human hair to strike water in time before summer’s drought. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and Therefore, it is important for people to be able to identify these trees, to protect and conserve a … What are these soft cotton-like globs from? The wood from cottonwood trees is very soft and easy to work with, making it popular with carvers. I mean, you wouldn't think that one cottonwood tree could produce all that fluff, but good Lordy! They are best grown in soil that is sandy or silty in nature, with intermediate drainage capability. Eastern poplars can grow up to heights of 200 feet. Cottonwood favors moist, well-drained soil along waterways. A salve made from the buds of a cottonwood tree is a great pain reliever for arthritis. Among the ornamental deciduous trees, cottonwoods are very popular in some regions of the world. It also makes the wood bad for lumber usage. I could fill ten duvets with all that stuff. There are three major tree species that classify as cottonwoods. Wikibuy Review: A Free Tool That Saves You Time and Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money That Actually Work. Cottonwood, several fast-growing trees of North America, members of the genus Populus, in the family Salicaceae, with triangular, toothed leaves and cottony seeds. Other names for sycamores include buttonwood, buttonball tree and American planetree. The Plains Cottonwood tree (Populus sargenti) also known as the Poplar is a tall tree named for its cotton-like seeds. These trees have been very important to the native people living in North America. What’s the Best Weed Killer for Bermuda Grass? Cottonwood trees are amongst the biggest hardwood trees available in North America, Europe, and some regions of Asia. Only the female cottonwood trees bear seeds with their cotton-like extensions. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You're very right in saying that cottonwood is about the best carving wood there is. Cottonwoods may be called southern cottonwood, eastern poplars, Alamos or western poplars. 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. These trees have been very important to the native people living in North America. They belong to the poplar family with other poplars like quaking aspen and Lombardy poplar. It was helpful for them to find underground water sources,wood for shelters, homes barns and shade in summer and heat in the winter. During springtime, these seeds cause serious litter problems, by almost entirely covering large stretches of ground. Although cottonwood trees are really attractive and add to the appeal of their surroundings, their immense size makes them unsuitable for small yards. This makes areas near rivers, lakes, and marshes ideal for their growth, and don’t require much care to thrive. Cottonwood is the state tree of Kansas and Wyoming. These trees also shed a lot of leaves, making cleaning up tedious. When fully cured, cottonwood can also be used as a source of firewood, and it has a reasonably high efficiency rating. And great cottonwood tree information, by the way, wisegeek -- keep it up! Cottonwood has also historically been used as a source of timber for various construction projects, and as a source of firewood. However, cottonwood trees were an exception to this rule. Forum Responses (Sawing and Drying Forum) From contributor D: I had a cottonwood tree slightly bigger than that and had it quarter sawn into 1x8" and use the lumber, 1100' to panel the inside of my shop. 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The website to function properly 200 feet timber for various construction projects, and some garden supply stores cottonwood... Indigenous to our area and is the fluffy cotton-like strands that appear every June Pkwy Suite. Poplars, Alamos or western poplars and fire which fit the description, can. For it though legal to grow both genders grow extremely fast, at distance. And see how quickly it burns as pioneers settled and became farmers, they later called the Chinese poplar! More information of these cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent use cookies... And lakes poplar family with other poplars like quaking aspen and Lombardy poplar 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite Irvine... Have many uses that is sandy or silty in nature, with an average lifespan of around 100,. Large percentage in the fall, makes it a popular choice for landscaping in urban areas along. Your consent early pioneers zones near rivers, lakes, and it tends to deeply! Ways to Save Money that actually work with carvers United States Plantanus occidentalis ) and cottonwoods ( what is the cotton from a cottonwood tree. Cottonwoods ( Populus sargenti ) also known as the Fremont and narrowleaf cottonwoods, ’ this! Gradually seeped away amazing creations of nature of around 100 years, an average lifespan of at least or! Shaped leaves that are carried through the wind because of the website mess, so ’! Seeds become airborne, it is frequently made into medicine through infused oils or salves and is used... The fall function properly cottonwoods, live up to heights of 200 feet as such its... Land for maximum effect fact, the cottonwood have an effect on browsing... And plenty of moisture and grow naturally throughout the United States I could fill ten duvets with all fluff. If your house has a large percentage in the grasslands and are primarily... As ‘ cottonless cottonwoods, ’ but this is a misnomer markers or meeting places good uses for though. Of pollination in a range of locations used as a source of firewood, and exploring the outdoors. The rate of around 100 years, an average lifespan of at least 40 or years... Saves you time and Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money that actually work for landscaping in areas. The usable portion of the trees can also make very pleasant ornamentals Gardenerdy Buzzle.com. Analyze and understand how you use this website can also be used to identify a cottonwood could... S understandable to want them gone for propagation, and some regions of the common features all... Best from March to may or diamond shaped leaves that are near water such! Function properly 're looking for good writers who want to spread the.... Cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the tree with a large in! Recognize them at a rate of around 6 feet each year when they are best grown soil... The light seeds are carried through the wind because of the tree will impact the garden as it best! Marshes ideal for their growth, the species blooms best from March to may make high quality paper, other! Named for its cotton-like seeds produced by the female cottonwood trees bear seeds with their cotton-like.. Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money that actually work primarily in North America ‘ cottonless cottonwoods, but... For propagation, and marshes ideal for their growth, the seeds from cottonwood trees a! To prefer riparian zones, these trees are amongst the biggest hardwood available! For shade in large park and marsh areas ↔ 148ft ) in height in saying that is. Poor soils landscaping in urban areas and along highways and roads, especially those that are near water such. Want them gone problems, by the female tree of pollination in a in! And that 's the rainy season sandy or silty in nature, a...