black cottonwood

Populus trichocarpa

The black cottonwood is a tall tree with fluffy, white seeds that float in the air like little clouds. It loves to grow near rivers and wetlands, providing shade and homes for many animals.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The black cottonwood is a very tall tree with a straight trunk, often covered in dark, deeply furrowed bark. Its large, glossy green leaves are heart-shaped with silvery undersides, and in spring, it produces fluffy "cotton" seeds.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalpighialesFamilySalicaceaeGenusPopulus

black cottonwood

Interesting facts

Its dark, furrowed bark is a tell-tale sign of an old, wise tree!

Native American tribes used its inner bark and buds for food and medicine!

Some people call it a "pioneer tree" because it grows fast in new places!

Wow, its sticky buds smell like a spicy, sweet balsam!

Special abilities

Black cottonwood can grow incredibly fast, helping it reach sunlight and outcompete other plants for space.

Black cottonwood has sticky, resinous buds that protect its tender new leaves from hungry insects and disease.

Black cottonwood produces tiny, cotton-covered seeds that catch the wind, helping them spread far and wide.

Measurements & details

Height: 3000-6000 cm
Spread: 1000-2000 cm
Flower Size: 5-20 cm
Bloom Season: Spring
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Wind

Ecological connections

eaten by

North American Beaver

Castor canadensis

Beavers cut down its trees for food and dam construction.

eaten by

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

Mule deer browse on its young twigs and tender foliage.

eaten by

Poplar Petiole Gall Aphid

Pemphigus populitransversus

Aphids create galls on leaf stems, feeding on the tree's sap.

shelters

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Great Horned Owls often build nests in its tall, sturdy branches.

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Shade Tolerant

Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.

Broadleaf Tree

Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Rapid Growing

Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.

Timber

Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.