Eastern cottonwood Populus deltoides

Physical characteristics Ecological characteristics Trunk | Bark: ! e bark of a mature cottonwood is so thick that it In natural conditions, Eastern cottonwood trees typically can withstand " res with just minimum damage. Yet, they are also grow near a water source. Cottonwood groves are typically known for having “weak” wood and will drop branches occasionally, indicitive that a water source is nearby as they consume large particularly during windy spells. amounts of water in their growth cycle; a mature cotton- wood tree uses 200 gallons of water a day. Cottonwoods are Leaf: ! e leaf is very so dependent on water that they will drop leaves during an coarsely toothed, the teeth extended period of drought in order to conserve moisture. If are curved and gland tipped, a cottonwood root is cut, it will “bleed” water for days until and the petiole is # at. ! e the cut heals. leaves are dark green in the summer and turn yellow in Distribution range the fall. In dry locations they While mud banks le$ a$ er # oods provide ideal conditions for drop their leaves early from seedling germination, human soil cultivation has allowed them the combination of drought to increase their range away from such habitats. ! e Eastern and leaf rust, leaving their cottonwood is native to North America, growing throughout fall color dull or absent. the eastern, central, and southwestern United States, the south- ernmost part of eastern Canada, and northeastern Mexico. “Trembling Leaves” Relationship with other species An identifying characteristics of the Eastern Non-human: When a cottonwood loses a branch, it Cottonwood tree is that beacuase its leaves are is likely the heartwood will begin to rot at the break, sail-like shaped with long # at stems they have forming holes that make the ideal accommodations a tendency to tremble and # utter from even for birds, squirrels or bees to build nests. the slightest breeze. Humans: American pioneers used the cottonwood’s leaves for animal fodder and herbal teas, its canopy for shelter and its wood for " re and cra$ s. Flower | Seeds: Its # owers, ! ough cottonwood called catkins, are produced pollen aggravates on single-sex trees in early allergies, these large, spring. In early summer seed adaptable and hearty capsules split open to release trees provide shade the numerous small seeds at- and beauty across the tached to cotton-like strands. country. When used in home landscapeing to provide cooling shade, space requirements can become an issue. As the tree matures, its roots will li$ the soil surround- ing the tree, referred to as root # air. Pests: Once past the seedling-sapling size, cotton- wood trees have few signi" cant insect or disease Life span: Eastern cottonwoods typically live 70 to 100 years, but pests. Leaf feeding insects and leaf diseases are not they have the potential to live 200 to 400 years if they have a good uncommon, but rarely injurious. growing environment.