Description

Leaves: Alternate; simple; deltoid to ovate-deltoid; deciduous; glands or bumps where petiole and leaf blade meet; otherwise similar to Fremont cottonwood; turn bright gold in fall.

Twigs/buds: Yellowish-brown, hairless; angular, short, stout, ragged-looking; round with wings below leaf scars.  Buds shiny brown or yellowish-brown, hairless; resinous, scented; large (3/4" long) to small, cone-shaped to flattened, pointy, acute; scales overlapping, 6-7 visible. 

Flowers/fruit: Dioecious.  Fruit an oval capsule, 1/4" long, several together on a slender stalk like a string of beads; seeds tufted, small, light brown.

Bark: Greenish-yellow or yellowish-gray and smooth when young; with age becoming dark ash-gray, furrowed and ridged; impressive.

Wood: Important where native; sapwood white; heartwood gray; unclear change from sapwood to heartwood; growth rings unclear; diffuse-porous; rays not visible without magnification; used in lumber, pallets, veneer.

General: Native from the Great Plains east but planted occasionally in the West.  Where native it is usually found near streams and lakes.  Weak wood and/or branch structure.  Prefers abundant water.

Landscape Use: The species was originally planted quite a bit by Utah's settlers and some probably escaped cultivation.  Those planted now are mostly hybrids with other species chosen for their fast growth rate, disease resistance, and cottonless characteristics (usually male trees).  Still, though, like all cottonwoods and poplars is weak-wooded and does not belong near lots of people or valuable property.  Zones 2-9.

Cultivars: 'Noreaster', 'Purple Tower', 'Robusta', 'Siouxland', 'Sparks'.

Characteristics