As with all cottonwoods, the bark has deep fissures giving it a cracked appearance. Although, some studies do show that people can suffer from allergic reactions to the cotton. It is also called Western balsam poplar and California poplar. Narrowleaf cottonwood trees commonly grow at high altitudes. 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. You will notice the leaves have a serrated edge and the curved triangle shape tapers to a sharp, elongated point. Along with pictures of cottonwood tree species, descriptions of the bark and leaves will help to identify these large native North American trees. This cottonwood species has long buds that grow up to 3 cm and these bloom into yellowish flowers. Beaver eat the bark, leaves, and buds. The bark is smooth and greenish-white with characteristic diamond-shaped dark marks on young trees, that become blackish and fissured at … These dark shiny leaves turn to impressive bright yellows in the fall. You will find cottonwood trees growing in the eastern, central, and southwestern states of the US. You can tell the male and female species apart because the males have yellow catkins and the females have green colored ones. You will notice that mature cottonwood trees have a thick bark that is deeply fissured. … The cottony seeds are often seen … Sarah Moore has been a writer, editor and blogger since 2006. (2). Plant cottonwoods only if your house has a large expanse of outdoor land for maximum effect. Cottonwood, Poplar, and Aspen (Populus) Fruits are cottony with tiny seeds ; Leaves tend to have silvery or white backsides and very long leaf stems that make them flop and twist in the wind. Of course, the cotton fluff they shed in early summer is a problem for most people living near to cottonwood trees. Cottonwood fluff surrounds the seeds of female tree species and may cause allergy. Balsamifera) also grows to a height of 80 feet. These cottonwood trees grow in the western regions of North America at high altitudes. cottonwood and balsam buds - resin from buds used to treat sore throat , coughs etc, a balm was also made from cottonwood buds to relieve congestion balsam poplar: bark - boiled as a poultice for wounds, worm medicine; inner bark - food It shares common traits with eastern cottonwood, but has slightly larger leaves. One of the other problems with these types of poplar trees is that they are susceptible to diseases and bugs. This type of cottonwood tree is a hybrid between the eastern cottonwood and the narrowleaf cottonwood. The leaves of this poplar are some of the largest of any of the cottonwood trees. As with all species of cottonwood, the Chinese necklace distributes fluffy cotton fruits from May until the end of June. In fact, cottonwoods are one of the fastest-growing trees in North America. The lanceleaf cottonwood, however, will only live for up to 50 years. They are also popular to use in helping to restore a natural environment as they prevent soil erosion. Cottonwood (Poplar) The cottonwood—also known as the poplar—is a tall tree with a spreading crown, named for its cotton-like seeds. Eastern cottonwood leaves are triangular (deltoid) with curved teeth along the edges. The Cottonwood Leaf (Populus Deltoides) They all have triangular leaves with long stems and silvery backsides, so leaves shimmer in the wind.They also distribute downy cotton seeds in late spring. The name “cottonwood” comes from the fluffy white substance that surrounds the seeds. They grow very fast, and also grow well in very moist areas, and so are suitable for for windbreaks or planting near streambeds where other trees might not grow. These large trees can grow to between 50 and 80 ft. (15 – 24 m). Populus f. wislizenii, Rio Grande cottonwood, is similar but has slightly larger leaves. For many people, the fluff from cottonwood trees is a nuisance. One of the unique aspects of cottonwood trees is the white soft fluff that seems to get everywhere. The leaves are diamond-shaped and are hairless. She holds a master's degree in journalism. Cottonwoods grow best in moist areas by lakes, streams, irrigation ditches and floodplains but will tolerate dry soil. Lanceleaf cottonwood trees grow to between 40 and 60 ft. (12 – 18 m) and have a spread of up to 40 ft. (12 m). Triangular; 3"-6" long (but sometimes much larger); green above and white below, often with rusty markings. This cottonwood species has long buds that grow up to 3 cm and these bloom into yellowish flowers. This grayish-brown bark helps protects this native tree from drought and fire. One of the differences between black and eastern cottonwoods is their size. Swamp cottonwoods are another species of massive tree that grows in temperate regions in North America. Most species in the Populus genus, including poplars, make cotton, but it is only the female trees that produce it. Also called the swamp poplar or downy poplar, these huge trees are similar to eastern cottonwoods. Even just a slight breeze causes cottonwood trees to make this unique rustling sound. Apart from producing a flurry of white fuzzy fluff in late spring and early summer, there are other ways to identify cottonwoods. These long white beads of fluff shed in June and July and are a nuisance for people living near them. This huge majestic deciduous tree is also called the Alamo cottonwood as it is found in Texas and other southern US states. The big glossy triangular leaves dangle down from the stems. The “delta” leaves are between 1.5” to 4” long (4 – 10 cm) and about the size at their widest part. The bark is rough with deep furrows and is a gray-brown color. (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. Their flat wide edge and flat stem make them “clatter” in the wind. Leaf Margins - Coarsely-dentate to entire. Apex of leaf has a curving point, hence the name whiplash. These flowers produce cottonwood fruits. Leaves: Simple, alternate, deciduous. If you compare them with eastern cottonwood leaves, you will see Fremont’s cottonwood leaves are smaller with less serration. Cottonwoods have more triangular or heartshaped leaves than poplars, and the edges are slightly serrated. Cottonwood trees are also large shade trees and their sprawling branches have a spread of up to 113 ft. (34 m). Deer eat the twigs and leaves. 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. Poplar leaves can achieve lengths of 6 and 7 inches, with many having widths larger than most birch leaves are long. The leaves are willowy, long, and narrow, which is another way to distinguish the narrowleaf cottonwood from other types. Usually, most cottonwood species of tree leaves have pronounced tooth edging whereas black poplars are almost smooth-edged. The main identifying features of black poplar cottonwoods are their fine-toothed leaves, oval diamond shapes, and glossy green color. The cottonwood tree is a hardwood tree that loses its leaves in the fall. Elongated narrow leaves that are glossy green and turn sunny yellow in the fall. These are some of the largest and fastest-growing trees. Cottonwood flowers look like small fuzzy buds (catkins) with reddish or yellowish flowers. As its name suggests, these poplar trees have narrow leaves when compared to other cottonwood trees. It is normally fairly short-lived, but some trees may live up to 400 years. The lanceleaf cottonwood is a relatively high-maintenance tree, so be prepared for pruning, cleaning up seeds, fruit, and broken limbs, and fighting off pests and diseases. Cottonwood bark. The bark of the tree is grayish brown which appears blackish, and so the name the black poplar tree. It provides forage for browsing wildlife such as white-tailed and mule deer up through the sapling stage. The light white fluffy fibers can accumulate in yards, get into homes, block drains and gutters, and clog up filters. The gently spreading shape of the tree provided shade in grasslands. Leaves are simple, alternate, and deciduous. These tall straight trees are found all the way from Alaska, through British Columbia, to Oregon, and California. Nevada is a male selection. I also agree that the first appears to be cottonwood poplar (or American Basswood) by the lobes at the petiole. The leaves of the Chinese necklace poplar are very large. They are also fast-growing trees that are identified by their lance-shaped dark green glossy leaves, pyramidal shape, and hardiness. While some caterpillars feed exclusively on soft plant tissue like leaves, flowers and fruit, a few cottonwood pests bore into the wood. The leaves of aspen and Eastern cottonwood are deltoids where black cottonwood and balsam poplar are ovate. The second set is in the maple family Acer Rubrum. 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. These poplar trees shed cotton during June and July. Cottonwoods are also taller, ranging between 80 and 200 feet, whereas the balsam poplar is only 80 feet and the black poplar a mere 40 to 50. They are commonly triangular in shape, but may be more rounded. These medium-sized trees are good for landscaping and shade. Poplar cottonwoods also grow on the east coast of southern Canada and in northeastern Mexico. Poplar leaves have a more oval to oval-lance-like leaves. Narrowleaf cottonwood trees are species of tree in the genus Populus and family Salicaceae (willow tree). Trichocarpa means with hairy fruits, referring to its fluffy seeds. City planners also use cottonwood trees for urban areas because of their hardiness, low maintenance, and ornamental look. Although they do have weak wood, poplars and cottonwoods are still commonly used as shade trees, though they are more appropriate for ornamental use in rural areas where they are less likely to fall on dwellings and their messy cotton does not create a problem. It also provides important nesting and roosting habitat for various species of birds. This cottonwood species is also classed as a riparian zone tree, meaning it thrives near rivers and streams. These hardwood trees are also found in deciduous forests. The Chinese necklace poplar is a delightful shade tree with large leaves and dense foliage. Some reasons why cottonwood trees are popular are that they are fast-growing, their timber is cheap, and they thrive in wetlands and arid environments. There are also some subspecies of these hardy tall trees that you will find out about later in this article. Cottonwoods trees play a very important role in … Some types of cottonwood such as the narrowleaf and Fremont species can live for up to 150 years. Similarities. Poplar Aspen & Cottonwood Types. Black cottonwoods only grow to about 90 ft. (27 m) high which is shorter than their North American cousins. 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. As with most species of trees in the cottonwood family, the timber is weak and the narrowleaf cottonwood tree is not commercially important. Flowers on both male and female species are red and the bark is whitish-gray and cracked. The dangling leaves clatter in the wind. Aigeiros.The tree was named after 19th century American explorer and pathfinder John C. Frémont The bark is smooth and silvery-white when young and becomes hard, gray, and deeply fissured as the tree matures. This disease is caused by a bacterial infection. 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. While all cottonwoods produce the cotton from which their namesake comes, some poplars do not, including the black poplar (Populus nigra 'Italica'), a male clone also known as Lombardy or Italian poplar. The Fremont Cottonwood, also known as the Western Cottonwood or the Rio Grande Cottonwood, Populus fremontii, occurs in California east to Utah and … Description. The trees are also used in large parks to attract different kinds of wildlife and create windbreaks. White Poplar is a massive tree and can grow to over 100 feet tall. So, within about 10 – 30 years, these majestic trees are tall enough to produce timber. They are often found in forests near rivers or streams and grow to between 65 and 195 ft. (20 – 60 m) high. Also known as the Silver Poplar because its leaves have a white felted underside. Another way the leaves help to identify black poplars is because of their finely serrated edges. Cottonwood trees provide cheap timber for making pellets, boxes, crates, and also pulp for paper. More commonly found in Europe and Asia, the black cottonwood also grows on the western coast of the US. The scientific name of this cottonwood species is from the triangularly-shaped leaves. Does well in West Texas. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), cottonwoods grow in areas of full sun and in moist, well-drained sandy soil. Identification of Fremont’s cottonwood trees is by their cordate shape leaves (heart-shape), coarsely serrated edges, and elongated smooth-edged tip. The Chinese necklace poplar is a delightful shade tree with large leaves and dense foliage. 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. Due to the fact that cottonwood lumber is soft, yet durable, it has many uses in the timber industry. The leaves are also smaller and can be diamond or triangular-shaped and grow to between 2” – 3” (5 – 8 cm) long. Fremont’s cottonwood trees grow well near rivers and streams. Another way to tell this species of poplar apart from other broadleaf trees is the rustling sound the leaves make in a gentle breeze. Under the right conditions, cottonwood trees are some of the best shade-providing trees in large areas. Their tall stature and wide-spreading dense foliage mean they are great shade trees. The balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L. subsp. Margins are smooth or with rounded teeth. Both tall trees with sweeping branches, poplars and cottonwoods are not very dissimilar. Cottonwood trees are common in North America, Europe, and some parts of Asia. 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. Pustules later turn dark brown or black. This tree is native to Europe. One of the common features of all types of cottonwood trees is the fluffy cotton-like strands that appear every June. These trees are usually found growing along the Mississippi and in states such as in Tennessee, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. Poplars, cottonwoods and aspens are all members of the Populus genus, and all are quite tall. Cottonwood trees are huge deciduous trees that have large green leaves and thick foliage. It is one of three species in Populus sect. Common in the region from 2,000 to 6,000 ft (below 6,500). Wet Wood (bacterial): Occurs in Cottonwood and Lombardy Poplar. These leaves grow alternately on branches and have a flat stem. The 3 main species are Populus deltoids (eastern cottonwood), Populus fremontii (Fremont’s cottonwood), and the Populus nigra (black poplar). These trees have been very important to the native people living in North America. • Often occurs with black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) and yellow willow. Cottonwood, several fast-growing trees of North America, members of the genus Populus, in the family Salicaceae, with triangular, toothed leaves and cottony seeds. • Summer Key – Long pointed leaf, same color on both sides, fine-toothed margin. Member of the Poplar family, cottonwood trees are amongst the tallest hardwood trees that are commonly found all across North America and Europe as well as in many different regions of Asia. The leaves of this poplar are some of the largest of any of the cottonwood trees. references. trichocarpa (Torr. 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'. Lanceleaf cottonwood is a medium sized tree used in landscape for shade. Although cottonwood trees are really attractive and add to the appeal of their surroundings, their immense size makes them unsuitable for small yards. & A.Gray ex Hook) Brayshaw (POP-yu-lus ball-sum-IF-er-uh subspecies tri-ko-KAR-pa) Names: Black Cottonwood is also known as Balsam Poplar. Black Cottonwood The Willow Family– Salicaceae Populus balsamifera L. ssp. Both are members of the Populus genus, which includes poplars, cottonwoods and aspens. They occur on a branch alternately, are simple (single leaf) and mostly toothed. The leaf has fine teeth, unlike the other cottonwoods. Cordate (heart-shaped) large oval leaves that are up to 6” (15 cm) long and with an elongated tip. The leaf veins and shoots are finely covered with soft hair. Why plant a Cottonless Cottonwood tree? A cottonwood in Willamette Mission State Park near Salem, Oregon, holds the national and world records. The leaves are lanceolate and have scalloped edges. The eastern cottonwood is a large and fast growing tree. The fast growth rate of cottonwood trees and the strength of the timber means it has many uses. (1). Both male and female black poplars produce yellow catkins. When male trees fertilize female trees, females produce a capsule that eventually splits open to distribute the downlike ‘cotton,’ connected to seeds that disburse on the wind. Fremont’s cottonwoods grow to between 40 and 115 ft. (12 – 35 m) and they have a large spread that creates shade. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Yellow poplar vs Populus genus Color: Yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) generally has a green/olive cast to certain portions of the wood.This can sometimes be enough of an indicator to separate it from other Populus species, but to ensure separation, a closer look at the endgrain is needed.Rays: A helpful key in differentiating these two genera is in the rays.