EASTERN COTTONWOOD
Populus deltoides

Height: 60-80'
Width: 40-60'
Hardiness Zone: 3a
Exposure: sun, light shade
Origin: Quebec to North Dakota and south to Kansas, Texas and Florida

Description:

Cottonwood is a rapid growing tree and becomes very large with age. Sexes are on separate plants (dioecious). Male catkins show red stamens in the spring. The small, light seeds are attached to a white cottony substance which aids in wind dispersal of the seeds. Female trees produce tremendous amounts of the seed which can literally make the ground white. Tree form is upright spreading with an oval to rounded crown. The glossy medium green leaves are 3-5” long and equally wide. Fall color is yellow. Because of the tree’s large size and tendency for branches to break in wind and ice storms, Cottonwood is usually not recommended for residential landscapes or other small properties. It is a Young tree of Populus deltoides ‘Siouxland’ good tree for highway and park plantings where little maintenance is possible.

Site and Cultural Requirements:

Quite tolerant to a broad range of soil conditions. Grows natively along streams and in flood plains.

Insect/Disease Issues:

No serious insect problems. Can be infected by cankers but usually not too serious.

Cultivars:

‘Siouxland’ – is a male cultivar and thus does not produce “cotton”
‘Robusta’ – is a rapid growing hybrid poplar with a broad oval crown. Male tree.

 

We would like to thank the Landscape Plant Development Center and Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for the botanical information and photos.

Open 9:00 AM until Sunset
Closed Mondays, open holidays
Phone: (515)-992-4211
Email: info@thebrentonarboretum.org