cottonwood

Cottonwood is the common name for several species of the poplar genus Populus, in the Salicaceae family. The most widely referenced are eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii), black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), and narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia). The name derives from the cottony floss that surrounds the seeds and can be carried by the wind.

Cottonwoods are deciduous, fast-growing trees that commonly reach 15–30 meters, with some larger specimens. They have thick, gray-brown bark and leaves that are deltoid or heart-shaped with coarse teeth. Most species are dioecious, producing spring catkins followed by seed capsules that release white, cotton-like fibers for wind dispersal.

They prefer moist, well-drained soils along rivers and floodplains; some tolerate dry sites once established. Their shallow, expansive roots can spread near pavements and utilities and produce suckers. They provide habitat for wildlife and are often among the first trees to colonize disturbed sites after floods. Pests and diseases include cottonwood borer, aphids, scale, and rust fungi.

Wood is light and soft, used mainly for pulp, paper, and low-grade lumber; it is not durable outdoors. In landscapes, cottonwoods offer rapid shade but have weak wood and a relatively short urban lifespan. They hybridize readily with other Populus species, yielding cultivars used in forestry and ornamental plantings, with careful consideration given to root growth and proximity to structures.