Populus deltoides (Eastern Cottonwood)

Michael's Opinion

A tree of limited landscape value except in natural situations where it in infancy it can be an attractive and sometimes stately specimen. I have seen some very large trees used in the landscape but expect to constantly prune them to remove dead wood and remove them after forty to fifty years.

Botanical Information

FamilySalicaceae
GenusPopulus
Speciesdeltoides
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (deciduous)
OriginNorth America.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone3a - 9
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Height20 - 40 m
Spread5-8 m
GrowthFast
Flowering PeriodMay

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA vigorous short lived fast growing tree of limited ornamental value.
ID CharacteristicLarge, deltoid shaped leaves on long petioles.
ShapeVery broad pyramidal.
LandscapeCould be used in natural regeneration and landscape restoration projects.
CultivationEasy to grow in loose open soil, but does have an appetite for water.
PestsMany, including several wet wood diseases and blights.
Notable SpecimensThames River Valley, London, Ontario. Whistling Gardens, Wilsonville, Ontario, Canada.
HabitatLow lying ground, floodplains and swamp areas.
Bark/Stem DescriptionSmooth when young, light grey maturing to a dark grey with patches of ridges.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionAcutely pointed, scaled and resinous.
Leaf DescriptionDeltoid, to about 8 cm across at its widest point, attached to the branch on a long petiole (4 cm). Light green above, lighter underside.
Colour DescriptionYellow autumn colour.
Texture DescriptionCoarse textured.

Photographs