Eastern Cottonwood
Arbor Walk #167, TreeKeeper ID #1525
Native to much of the Eastern United States and Southern Canada, with a tall form reaching up to 100 feet in height and flexible fluttering leaves, the Eastern Cottonwood is a staple of lowlands across North America. It may have received its name from its wind-dispersed seeds, which have long silky hairs to aid dispersal. The Eastern Cottonwood is grown in stands for its soft wood, used for plywood or pulp. The fluttering leaves and close phenotypic similarity can lead to this tree being confused for its Western sibling, the Quaking Aspen.
| Common Name(s) | Eastern Cottonwood |
|---|---|
| Latin Name | Populus deltoides |
| Indigenous Name(s) | |
| Cultivar/Variety | |
| Commercial Name |
Global Distribution
Map coming soon
GPS Coordinates
N/A
Percent Concrete
N/A
Distance to Buildings
| Year | Close Building #1 | Close Building #2 | Close Building #3 |
|---|---|---|---|
Distance to Other Species
| Year | Close Species #1 | Close Species # 2 | Close Species # 3 |
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Standard Measurements
| Year | Height (m) | DBH (cm) | Crown Diameter N-S (m) | Crown Diameter E-W (m) | Average Crown Diameter (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nests and Pests
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
Leaf Identification
The leaves of the Eastern Cottonwood are simple (no leaflets), alternately arranged on the stem, and unlobed. The veins are pinnate and contrast distinctly with the leaf. The leaves are about 6″ wide and long, and have a triangular or cordate (heart) shape that tapers to a pointed tip, with coarse, rounded teeth along the margin except for base or tip. The petioles (leafstalks) are long and flexible.
Twig and Bud Identification
The twig turns from green to light gray as it matures, with lenticels (pores) fading. The twig is zig zag and relatively thick. The axillary buds are thin and pointed. The terminal bud is conical in shape, orange-green and shiny, and can reach 1″ in length.
Bark Identification
The bark of the Eastern Cottonwood is gray-brown and has very thick ridges that form deep furrows. The trunk can be very large, regularly reaching 4′ in diameter by maturity.
Fruit Identification
The fruits of the Eastern Cottonwood are numerous small capsules arranged along hanging, unbranching stalks. When ripe, they release 30-60 seeds each. Each seed has long silky hairs to aid in wind-assisted dispersal. The fruits mature at the end of spring.
Flower Identification
The flowers of the Eastern Cottonwood are dioecious; the staminate (male) and pistillate (female) flowers exist on separate trees. The staminate flowers are in long reddish catkins that curl down from the branch. The pistillate flowers are smaller and in small greenish-yellow clusters. The flowers bloom in early spring.
ID Tips
- Unlike related species such as the Quaking Aspen or Bigtooth Aspen, the Eastern Cottonwood has a thin translucent or light-colored margin along its leaves. The Eastern Cottonwood also tends to have triangle-shaped leaves as opposite to ovate or circular leaves, but this trait can be variable between trees.
