plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
First place champion plains cottonwood in Loveland (removed).
Species info:
Leaves: Alternate, simple, broadly triangular (deltoid), about 4 inches long with serrated margins. Rich green in summer, turning golden yellow in fall.
Leaflets: N/A (simple leaves)
Leaf Surface: Smooth and lustrous; underside paler green.
Bark: Smooth and grayish-brown when young; becoming deeply furrowed and ridged with age.
Twigs: Stout, yellowish-brown, smooth, with a distinctive star-shaped (stellate) pith. Terminal buds long, pointed, and resinous.
Flowers: Dioecious—male and female trees produce separate flowers in hanging catkins in early spring before leaves emerge.
Fruit: Female trees produce ¼-inch long, 3–4 valved capsules that release large quantities of cottony seeds; male trees are fruitless and preferred for landscape use.
Botanical: Populus deltoides
Family: Salicaceae
Mature Height: 60–80 feet
Canopy Spread: 50–60 feet
Foliage Type: Deciduous
Tree Shape: Broad, irregularly rounded canopy with coarse, spreading branches; some cultivars more upright
Growth Rate: Fast; can exceed 24 inches of annual growth
Fall Color: Golden yellow
Water Use: High; prefers moist, deep soils but tolerates periodic drought once established
Hardiness: Zones 2–9; up to ~7,000 ft elevation
Soil Preference: Adaptable to various soil types and pH levels; best in deep, moist alluvial soils; ‘Jeronimus’ cultivar tolerates many soil types
Wildlife Value: Provides food and shelter for birds and small mammals; riparian populations are ecologically important for nesting species
Pests/Pathogens: Cottonwoods may suffer from various insects and diseases, wood decay, and weak branching; however, Plains Cottonwood (and especially the ‘Jeronimus’ cultivar) shows resistance to many common problems
Planting Recommendations: Performs well across the eastern plains and Front Range where ample space and water are available; long-lived and stately in the right setting; not suitable for small yards
Information Sources:
Michael A. Dirr. Dirr’s Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs. Timber Press. 2011
