Populus deltoides aka Common Cottonwood

Populus deltoides, or eastern cottonwood, belongs to the willow family. This large tree sheds its leaves each year. Its native range runs from Canada through the United States into Mexico. It grows beside streams, on river banks, and in bottomlands. Young trees have a pyramid shape. Older trees form broad crowns with open, uneven branches.

Trees often reach 75–100 feet [23–30.5 metres] tall. Their crowns spread 40–60 feet [12.2–18.3 metres] wide. Some trees reach 200 feet [61 metres]. Growth is fast, but the tree has a short life. It may live for up to 70 years. Young bark is smooth and greenish gray. Older bark turns gray and forms deep grooves and ridges. The stout, angled twigs have a yellow-green cast. Brown buds carry sticky resin and overlapping scales.

The glossy green leaves grow in an alternate pattern. Each simple leaf has a triangle shape and coarse teeth. Flat leaf stalks let the leaves flutter in light wind. The leaves turn yellow in fall and may drop early. Catkins open before the leaves, from March to April. Male and female flowers grow on separate trees. Male catkins have red stamens; female flowers have yellow stigmas. Female trees form green capsules that ripen in summer. These split open and release seeds with white, cotton-like hairs. Wind carries the seeds, which sprout on moist ground.

Grow this tree in full sun with moist soil. Deep, fertile soil with good drainage gives the best conditions. It accepts clay, loam, sand, and a broad pH range. It can cope with drought and brief floods. Avoid ground that stays waterlogged. Sources place it in USDA zones 2–9 and UK rating H6. Its size suits broad spaces more than small gardens. It can give shade or form a screen. Birds visit it, and butterfly larvae feed on it. Deer and rabbits browse young growth; beavers use young stems. People use the wood for crates, plywood, baskets, and pulp.

Weak wood, falling branches, seed fluff, and root sprouts cause problems. Roots can damage paving, drains, and building foundations. RHS advises keeping it 131 feet [40 metres] from buildings. Rural stream banks offer more suitable sites than tight urban spaces. Borers, aphids, scales, leaf beetles, and caterpillars may attack it. Diseases include canker, dieback, leaf spots, rust, and powdery mildew. Honey fungus can also affect it.