The “delta” leaves are between 1.5” to 4” long (4 – 10 cm) and about the size at their widest part. To 4060 feet or taller, about 30 feet wide, with 2- to 4 inches-wide, thick, coarsely toothed, glossy, yellow-green leaves that turn bright lemon-yellow in fall. For many people, the fluff from cottonwood trees is a nuisance. While their weak wood makes them a somewhat dangerous tree near buildings and dwellings, they have commercial value as suppliers of material for paper, particle board, plywood, veneer, and lumber. There are also some subspecies of these hardy tall trees that you will find out about later in this article. Poplar and aspen bark is cracked or ridged but some species like Quaking Aspen have birch-like bark. Bigtooth Aspen; Eastern Cottonwood; … These fast-growing trees can reach heights of 50 ft. (15 m) in just 20 years. Poplar leaves vary in shape from the nearly triangular leaf of eastern cottonwood that resembles the ace of spades in a deck of playing cards to the almost round leaves of swamp cottonwood. Fremont’s cottonwoods grow to between 40 and 115 ft. (12 – 35 m) and they have a large spread that creates shade. Types of Willow Trees: Weeping Willows, Willow Shrubs, Dwarf Willows and More (With Pictures and Nam... Types of Cedar Trees with Identification Guide (Pictures, and Name) - Including False Cedar Trees, Types of Evergreen Trees with Identification Guide, Pictures and Names, Cottonwood Trees: Facts, Identification, Pictures, Problems, and More. Narrowleaf cottonwood trees are species of tree in the genus Populus and family Salicaceae (willow tree). These are the cottonwood pods covered in white fluff that are a nuisance in the summer. Poplar leaves can achieve lengths of 6 and 7 inches, with many having widths larger than most birch leaves are long. Distinctive glands are These develop on the tree in early summer and can create a blanket of summer “snow” when they disperse in the wind. Poplars, cottonwoods and aspens are all members of the Populus genus, and all are quite tall. Beaver eat the bark, leaves, and buds. With a giant trunk and branches laden with brightly colored leaves, the thick foliage of these trees forms a dense canopy that spreads into an open crown. The 3 main species are Populus deltoids (eastern cottonwood), Populus fremontii (Fremont’s cottonwood), and the Populus nigra (black poplar). The second set is in the maple family Acer Rubrum. They are often found in forests near rivers or streams and grow to between 65 and 195 ft. (20 – 60 m) high. Their flat wide edge and flat stem make them “clatter” in the wind. Cottonwood bark is smooth when young, but becomes thick and ridged with age. Cottonwoods have an impressive growth rate and grow about 3 ft. (1 m) every year. As with all cottonwoods, the bark has deep fissures giving it a cracked appearance. I also agree that the first appears to be cottonwood poplar (or American Basswood) by the lobes at the petiole. Although, some studies do show that people can suffer from allergic reactions to the cotton. You can tell the male and female species apart because the males have yellow catkins and the females have green colored ones. Identification of Fremont’s cottonwood trees is by their cordate shape leaves (heart-shape), coarsely serrated edges, and elongated smooth-edged tip. Missouri Botanical Garden: Populus Deltoides, Oregon State University: Cottonwood, Poplar and Aspen, Oregon State University: Black Cottonwood (Populus Trichocarpa), United States Department of Agriculture: Black Cottonwood, Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation: Balsam Poplar, Missouri Botanical Garden: Populus Nigra 'Italica'. One of the common features of all types of cottonwood trees is the fluffy cotton-like strands that appear every June. These are some of the largest and fastest-growing trees. Pest & Diseases to Watch For As with other poplars, narrowleaf cottonwood is susceptible to aphids, beetle borers, scales, thrips, anthracnose, canker, crown rot, … Poplar Aspen & Cottonwood Types. Only the female species of cottonwood trees produce the white fluff for which the tree is known. The diverse poplar family includes the quaking aspen, which boasts the widest range of any North American tree, and the Plains cottonwood, which was the only tree many early settlers met as they forged westward through America's prairies. Another way to tell this species of poplar apart from other broadleaf trees is the rustling sound the leaves make in a gentle breeze. There are also exceptions by species, such as the black poplar. Black Cottonwood The Willow Family– Salicaceae Populus balsamifera L. ssp. Aigeiros.The tree was named after 19th century American explorer and pathfinder John C. Frémont Cottonwood flowers look like small fuzzy buds (catkins) with reddish or yellowish flowers. Flowers on the eastern cottonwood species are reddish on male trees and yellowish-green on female trees. Cottonwoods have more triangular or heartshaped leaves than poplars, and the edges are slightly serrated. This cottonwood species has long buds that grow up to 3 cm and these bloom into yellowish flowers. There are only a few species of poplar trees that are classified as cottonwoods. Leaves are simple, alternate, and deciduous. Apex of leaf has a curving point, hence the name whiplash. The balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L. subsp. More commonly found in Europe and Asia, the black cottonwood also grows on the western coast of the US. One of the other problems with these types of poplar trees is that they are susceptible to diseases and bugs. It is one of three species in Populus sect. Cottonwood trees are not the ideal type of landscaping tree for small or medium-sized backyards. Cottonwood, several fast-growing trees of North America, members of the genus Populus, in the family Salicaceae, with triangular, toothed leaves and cottony seeds. Populus fremontii, commonly known as Frémont's cottonwood, is a cottonwood (and thus a poplar) native to riparian zones of the Southwestern United States and northern through central Mexico. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. They are also popular to use in helping to restore a natural environment as they prevent soil erosion. This tree is native to Europe. Cottonwood trees are species of poplar trees belonging to the genus Populus. The leaf has fine teeth, unlike the other cottonwoods. Of course, the cotton fluff they shed in early summer is a problem for most people living near to cottonwood trees. Rather than having a delta-shaped leaf, they have heart-shaped leaves. These trees have been very important to the native people living in North America. (2). … Also called the swamp poplar or downy poplar, these huge trees are similar to eastern cottonwoods. The leaves are also smaller and can be diamond or triangular-shaped and grow to between 2” – 3” (5 – 8 cm) long. They have clusters of erect branches which often appear as a single column, and look absolutely beautiful. The bark is smooth and greenish-white with characteristic diamond-shaped dark marks on young trees, that become blackish and fissured at … The Cottonwood Leaf (Populus Deltoides) Leaves and Buds Bud arrangement - Alternate. As nouns the difference between poplar and cottonwood is that poplar is any of various deciduous trees of the genus populus while cottonwood is a tree from one of number of species of tree in the genus populus (poplars), typically growing along watercourses, with fluffy catkins. (See the section on Wet Wood in the Elm Disease section for details and control) Rust (fungus – Melampsora medusae): Small, yellowish-orange pustules on lower surfaces of leaves. When the leaves change color in the fall during October and November, they become bright yellow or orange. The leaves of the Chinese necklace poplar are very large. Black cottonwood trees become stunning in the fall where their foliage turns a beautiful bright yellow color. The black cottonwood is a tall tree that produces low-grade timber. Although cottonwood trees are really attractive and add to the appeal of their surroundings, their immense size makes them unsuitable for small yards. The bark of the tree is grayish brown which appears blackish, and so the name the black poplar tree. Along with pictures of cottonwood tree species, descriptions of the bark and leaves will help to identify these large native North American trees. These poplar trees shed cotton during June and July. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), cottonwoods grow in areas of full sun and in moist, well-drained sandy soil. The name “cottonwood” comes from the fluffy white substance that surrounds the seeds. Differences. Both male and female black poplars produce yellow catkins. These hardwood trees are also found in deciduous forests. • Summer Key – Long pointed leaf, same color on both sides, fine-toothed margin. The black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) can grow to a height of 200 feet and is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8, while the eastern cottonwoode (Populus deltoids) is hardy to USDA zones 2 through 9 and grows as tall as 80 feet. The lanceleaf cottonwood, however, will only live for up to 50 years. Populus f. wislizenii, Rio Grande cottonwood, is similar but has slightly larger leaves. This type of cottonwood tree is a hybrid between the eastern cottonwood and the narrowleaf cottonwood. Very shiny. While some caterpillars feed exclusively on soft plant tissue like leaves, flowers and fruit, a few cottonwood pests bore into the wood. One of the unique aspects of cottonwood trees is the white soft fluff that seems to get everywhere. Plant cottonwoods only if your house has a large expanse of outdoor land for maximum effect. Leaf Type and Shape - Simple leaves, deltoid to lanceolate, petioles are generally flattened. Siouxland poplar, a "cotton-less cottonwood" was introduced by South Dakota State University. Cottonwood bark. Balsamifera) also grows to a height of 80 feet. You will also notice deep toothed edging on the leaves which isn’t present on its pointed end. Nevada is a male selection. Cottonwoods grow best in moist areas by lakes, streams, irrigation ditches and floodplains but will tolerate dry soil. It provides forage for browsing wildlife such as white-tailed and mule deer up through the sapling stage. This disease is caused by a bacterial infection. Both are members of the Populus genus, which includes poplars, cottonwoods and aspens. Some people describe the tree as the most hated tree in America. Some species of cottonwood trees have been known to reach heights of 100 ft. (30 m) or more. Nurseries sometimes sell male trees as ‘cottonless,’ and you can buy sterile hybrids that also do not produce it. This cottonwood species has long buds that grow up to 3 cm and these bloom into yellowish flowers. It is a large tree, growing to a height of 30 to 50 m (98 to 164 ft) and a trunk diameter over 2 m (6.6 ft), which makes it the largest poplar species in the Americas. Bud Size - Varies between hybrids. The tufted seeds are shed in masses of white "cotton" which can cover the ground inches deep. Elongated narrow leaves that are glossy green and turn sunny yellow in the fall. The fast growth rate of cottonwood trees and the strength of the timber means it has many uses. The cottony seeds are often seen … You will notice that mature cottonwood trees have a thick bark that is deeply fissured. Nature Hills sells two different kinds of Cottonwood trees that are seedless and do not produce any of the messy, fuzzy seeds that you see at this time of the year: the Siouxland Cottonwood and the Hybrid Poplar. The leaves of this poplar are some of the largest of any of the cottonwood trees. The bark is smooth and silvery-white when young and becomes hard, gray, and deeply fissured as the tree matures. Cottonwood is one of a suite of fast-growing lowland trees commonly found along waterways, so it is an important component of river and stream ecosystems, providing shelter and food to numerous species. Lanceleaf cottonwood is a medium sized tree used in landscape for shade. City planners also use cottonwood trees for urban areas because of their hardiness, low maintenance, and ornamental look. 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