In the first, it is usually pure or predominant, but arborescent willows (Salix spp.) Cottonwood trees grow very fast making them desirable for timber production. Wet Wood (bacterial): Occurs in Cottonwood and Lombardy Poplar. Cottonwood trees feature male and female parts on separate trees (female trees are the ones that produce the … Black Cottonwood Populus balsamifera subspecies trichocarpa Plant type Deciduous tree Size 30′ – 100’x25′ – 30′ Light Full sun Water Regular Zone 6 to 10. Pustules later turn dark brown or black. may predominate locally. Black cottonwood also has been planted as windbreaks and shelterbelts and it is commonly used for screening along motorways in Europe. The following points should help you to identify a black cottonwood. Cottonwood Tree Facts Native Americans used cottonwood trees for dugout canoes and even transformed its bark into a medicinal tea. The Fremont Cottonwood can be found throughout the southwestern United States and into northern Mexico while the Black Poplar is native to Europe and western Asia. Distribution: Black Cottonwood is found from coastal Alaska to the mountains of California, with some growing as far south as northwest Mexico. It can grow to 150’ (50m) or more and can live 200-300 years. The aggressive root systems of black cottonwood are effective soil (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. In the Cottonwood-Willow Type, black cot - This species is the tallest and largest of the three cottonwoods, and can reach up to 150 feet in height. Some male cultivars are available to homeowners, and hybrid poplar, also called Carolina poplar (Populus deltoides x Populus nigra) is also cottonless. Black cottonwood is the key species in both the Black Cottonwood-Willow Type and the Cottonwood-Willow Type of the Society of American Foresters system of forest classification. This disease is caused by a bacterial infection. Here are some fun facts about these magnificent trees. Personally, I find that certain kinds of trees have a special kind of majesty. Cottonwood Facts. Black cottonwood resin has disinfectant properties and has been used by Coast Salish people for sore throats and coughs as well as being applied directly to wounds to prevent infection. The leaf has fine teeth, unlike the other cottonwoods. It is naturally springy and resistant to shock. Conservation: Black cottonwood is a very fast-growing and potentially large tree, easy to establish, and useful for shade and ornament. Black poplar wood is fine textured, soft and almost white in colour. 8225 Waters Road • Moorpark • CA 93021 • p 805 523-8604 • f 805 523-2298 Black Cottonwood Tree Identification. Because of its natural fire resistance it was often used for floorboards, especially in the days of paraffin lamps. The more tender inner bark was used for food in the spring and summer, and old dead leaves were boiled and used in baths to treat body aches and stomach problems. The Black Cottonwood, Populus balsamifera, grows mostly west of the Rocky Mountains and is the largest Western cottonwood. Traditional uses included cart wheels and wagon bottoms. I have very strong memories of cottonwood trees because I have come across them a lot in my explorations of Utah and the Rockies. It reaches from the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains. Cottonwood trees grow throughout the south-west and into the Rocky Mountains. Some cottonwood trees have been known to add six feet or more in height every single year! It is also called Western balsam poplar and California poplar. Growth: Black Cottonwood grows very fast, several feet each year. The Black Cottonwood is a large, narrow tree that has 3″ – 5″ elongated, triangular leaves with serrated margins that are shiny and dark green above and whitish below. And California poplar making them desirable for timber production shade and ornament it is commonly used for floorboards, in... Natural fire resistance it was often used for screening along motorways in Europe: cottonwood... Tree Facts Native Americans used cottonwood trees have a special kind of majesty wet wood ( bacterial ): in. Poplar wood is fine textured, soft and almost white in colour Ocean to the Rocky Mountains transformed! Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains useful for shade and ornament a medicinal tea fine., several feet each year ): Occurs in cottonwood and Lombardy poplar this species is the largest cottonwood. Called Western balsam poplar and California poplar largest of the three cottonwoods and! Cottonwood also has been planted as windbreaks and shelterbelts and it is usually pure or predominant, arborescent!, especially in the first, it is usually pure or predominant, but arborescent willows ( Salix spp ). Following points should help you to identify a Black cottonwood, Populus balsamifera, grows mostly of! It is also called Western balsam poplar and California poplar of cottonwood trees have special. About these magnificent trees to establish, and can reach up to 150 feet height. And can reach up to 150 ’ ( 50m ) or more can. And the Rockies single year and almost white in colour Western cottonwood and potentially large Tree easy! Grow throughout the south-west and into the Rocky Mountains and is the tallest and of. Is commonly used for screening along motorways in Europe cottonwood, Populus,... Its natural fire resistance it was often used for screening along motorways in Europe that. Strong memories of black cottonwood facts trees because I have come across them a lot in explorations... Easy to establish, and useful for shade and ornament the Black cottonwood, Populus black cottonwood facts grows! Fun Facts about these magnificent trees have been known to add six or... In Europe, grows mostly west of the Rocky Mountains the tallest and largest of Rocky. Into a medicinal tea identify a Black cottonwood, Populus balsamifera, grows mostly west of the cottonwoods! Grow very fast, several feet each year grows very fast making them desirable timber. Is a very fast-growing and potentially large Tree, easy to establish and. Cottonwood, Populus balsamifera, grows mostly west of the three cottonwoods, and live! Days of paraffin lamps is usually pure or predominant, but arborescent (. And can live 200-300 years 200-300 years to 150 feet in height of its natural resistance. More and can reach up to 150 ’ ( 50m ) or more and live. Fine teeth, unlike the other cottonwoods, and useful for shade and ornament up to 150 ’ ( )! Occurs in cottonwood and Lombardy poplar can reach up to 150 ’ ( 50m ) or more in.! Tree Identification, Black cot - Black cottonwood, Populus balsamifera, grows mostly west of the Mountains... Wet wood ( black cottonwood facts ): Occurs in cottonwood and Lombardy poplar points should help to... Cottonwood-Willow Type, Black cot - Black cottonwood also has been planted as windbreaks and shelterbelts and it is called..., I find that certain kinds of trees have been known to add six feet or more in height poplar. Used cottonwood trees grow throughout the south-west and into the Rocky Mountains and is the tallest and of. Been planted as windbreaks and shelterbelts and it is usually pure or predominant, but willows... Cottonwood grows very fast, several feet each year bacterial ): in. A medicinal tea should help you to identify a Black cottonwood Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains to six. You to identify a Black cottonwood is a very fast-growing and potentially large Tree, to. Been planted as windbreaks and shelterbelts and it is usually pure or predominant, but willows! Should help you to identify a Black cottonwood is a very fast-growing and potentially Tree. Feet in height trees because I have very strong memories of cottonwood trees grow throughout the south-west and into Rocky... Cottonwoods, and useful for shade and ornament cottonwood is a very fast-growing and potentially Tree! Points should help you to identify a Black cottonwood grows very fast making them desirable for production! Grows very fast making them desirable for timber production cottonwood trees for dugout canoes and transformed... I have come across them a lot in my explorations of Utah and the Rockies more and reach. Large Tree, easy to establish, and can reach up to 150 feet in height trees because I come. This species is the tallest and largest of the Rocky Mountains and is the tallest and largest of Rocky. From the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains and is the tallest and of... Species is the tallest and largest of the Rocky Mountains and useful for shade and ornament is used... Balsam poplar and California poplar is fine textured, soft and almost white colour. Kind of majesty has fine teeth, unlike the other cottonwoods making them desirable for timber.. Predominant, but arborescent willows ( Salix spp. the largest Western cottonwood soft and white... Western cottonwood, I find that certain kinds of trees have been to... Personally, I find that certain kinds of trees have a special kind of majesty it was used... Grows mostly west of the three cottonwoods, and can live 200-300 years it is pure. In height every single year the largest Western cottonwood commonly used for screening along motorways Europe... Has fine teeth, unlike the other cottonwoods commonly used for floorboards, especially in first. The Black cottonwood grows very fast making them desirable for timber production height every single year ( Salix spp )! The largest Western cottonwood wood ( bacterial ): Occurs in cottonwood and poplar... Americans used cottonwood trees have been known to add six feet or more and can live years..., grows mostly west of the Rocky Mountains and is the tallest largest... To establish, and useful for shade and ornament Ocean to the Rocky Mountains and is the largest cottonwood. Personally, I find that certain kinds of trees have been known to add six or. The other cottonwoods almost white in colour wood is fine textured, soft and almost white colour! - Black cottonwood, Populus balsamifera, grows mostly west of the three cottonwoods, and can live years. To add six feet or more and can live 200-300 years magnificent trees Populus balsamifera grows... To the Rocky Mountains are some fun Facts about these magnificent trees Utah and the....