

How to identify Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
Eastern cottonwood, also known as Plains cottonwood
Eastern cottonwood is a towering deciduous tree reaching heights of 75 to 100 feet (23 to 30 meters), and potentially up to 200 feet (61 meters), with a broad vase-like silhouette upon maturity. Recognizable by its smooth, glossy, light to medium green triangular leaves, typically 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15.2 cm) long and up to 4 inches (10 cm) wide, this tree is adorned with coarse teeth along the margins. Its twigs are a distinctive yellow-green, and it bears elongated catkins. The bark, smooth and greenish-gray in youth, transforms into a brown or ashy gray with deep furrows over time. In spring, 2 to 4.5-inch (5 to 11.4 cm) catkins flourish, with male and female flowers distinguishable by red stamens and yellow stigmas. Subsequently, egg-shaped fruit capsules release seeds with fluffy white hairs, facilitating wind dispersal.
Smooth, glossy triangular leaves with coarse teeth, 3-6 inches (7.6-15.2 cm) long and up to 4 inches (10 cm) wide.
Distinctive yellow-green twigs with elongated catkins measuring 2-4.5 inches (5-11.4 cm) in spring.
Male catkins with red stamens and female catkins with yellow stigmas and green ovary, blooming March-April.
Egg-shaped green capsules with cottony seeds, 0.31-0.47 inches (8-12 mm) long, for wind dispersal.
Transformative bark from smooth, greenish-gray to ashy gray with deep furrows, aiding in age identification.
The leaves of eastern cottonwood are glossy, smooth, and light to medium green. They are deciduous, simple, alternate, and broadly triangular with acuminate tips. Measuring 3 to 6 inches (7.5 to 15 cm) long and up to 4 inches (10 cm) wide, the leaves have coarse dentate or crenate margins with curved teeth. Each leaf has 2 small glands near the base by the petiole, which is 2.5 to 4 inches (6 to 10 cm) long. In fall, the leaves turn yellow before dropping.
The flowers of eastern cottonwood manifest as male and female catkins, measuring 2 to 4.5 inches (5 to 11 cm) in length. The male catkins display red stamens, while the female catkins feature yellow stigmas and a round green ovary. These catkins grow on separate male and female trees and bloom from March through April. The female catkin further develops into dehiscent capsules.
The stem of eastern cottonwood features yellowish-green twigs that are stout, angular, and noticeably thick at the nodes. The terminal buds are 0.5 to 0.75 inches (1.3 to 1.9 cm) long, with 6 to 7 resinous or shiny scales in a chestnut brown hue. Lateral buds are smaller and closely appressed to the stem, making these features a key aspect for identification.
The fruit of eastern cottonwood manifests as a green, egg-shaped capsule, measuring approximately 0.31 to 0.47 inches (8 to 12 mm) in length. Enclosed within the mature catkins, which span 7 to 10 inches (18 to 25 cm), the capsule features 3 to 4 valves. Upon maturation, these valves part to discharge an abundance of cottony seeds, each about 0.25 inches (6 mm) long, equipped for wind dispersal. The seeds’ tufted texture aids their journey through the air, ensuring successful propagation of eastern cottonwood.
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Scientific Classification of Eastern cottonwood