Eastern Cottonwood
(Populus deltoides)
Researched by: Roman McInerne and Stanley Davis, Grosse Ile High School Students
General Characteristics:
Range- Native Range all the way from Canada to Georgia
How to identify- The cottonwood leaves are alternate and triangular growing on leafstalks
Commercial Value:
Plywood and high grade pulp
Wildlife Value:
How do animals use it: It's used for its leaves and bark but also seedlings and saplings
Symbolic relationship- The tree is also used for courtship, roosting, and nesting by many different species of game birds and songbirds.
Interesting Tidbits:
The Eastern Cottonwood is the state tree of three states: Kansas, Wyoming, and Nebraska.
Additional Information
General Characteristics
The Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree native to Michigan and much of North America. Known for its impressive height and broad, spreading crown, it is a common sight along rivers and floodplains. The Cottonwood can reach heights of 70-100 feet or more, with a trunk diameter of 3-4 feet. Its bark is thick and deeply furrowed, providing a distinctive appearance. The leaves are triangular (deltoid) in shape, hence the species name, with a flat base and a pointed tip, measuring 3-5 inches across.
Range
Eastern Cottonwoods are found throughout the eastern and central United States, extending into southern Canada and northern Mexico. In Michigan, they thrive in wet, lowland areas, particularly along rivers, streams, and lakeshores. They are highly tolerant of flood conditions, which makes them prevalent in riparian zones.
How to Identify
Identifying Eastern Cottonwood trees is relatively easy due to several distinctive features:
Leaves: Triangular with coarse, serrated edges and a flat petiole that causes them to tremble in the wind.
Bark: Thick, gray, and deeply furrowed in older trees; younger trees have smoother, lighter bark.
Twigs: Stout, yellowish-brown, and often sticky with a sweet balsam scent.
Flowers and Seeds: Cottonwoods produce catkins; male and female flowers are on separate trees. The female trees release seeds attached to cotton-like fluff that disperses in the wind. The leaves have a tendeancy to flutter in slight breeze.
Commercial Value
Cottonwood wood is light and soft, making it easy to work with but not particularly strong. It is used in the manufacture of pallets, crates, plywood, and paper. Its rapid growth rate makes it a valuable species for biomass production and reforestation projects.
Wildlife Value
Cottonwoods provide significant ecological benefits. Their dense foliage offers habitat and nesting sites for birds such as eagles and herons. The tree's seeds are a food source for various bird species, and its bark and twigs are browsed by beavers and deer. Fallen leaves enrich the soil, supporting a diverse ground-layer ecosystem.
Interesting Tidbits
Cottonwoods can grow up to 6 feet in height per year under optimal conditions.
The name "Cottonwood" comes from the fluffy, cotton-like seeds released by female trees.
These trees are known for their resilience, capable of regenerating from broken branches that fall into moist soil.
Cottonwoods play a crucial role in stabilizing riverbanks and reducing soil erosion due to their extensive root systems.
