Eastern Cottonwood

Eastern Cottonwood

(Populus deltoides)

Salicaceae

▲ ▼ mature trees

▲ ▼ young trees

▲ ▼ leaves, which have a flattened petiole that enhances fluttering effect in the wind

▲ ▼ trunk and bark on younger trees

▲ older tree bark

▲ ▼ seedlings

Location on or near Missouri State University campus: not known.

Populus deltoides: Eastern Cottonwood

leaves alternate, deciduous, simple, triangular in shape; petiole is flattened to allow for fluttering leaf movement characteristic to species; leaves 3-5" long and equally wide; shiny dark green above, lighter green below
stems stout, yellow to greenish-yellow to brown; buds shiny brown and resinous
bark is gray with thick flattened or rounded ridges with age and deep fissures; younger stems/trunks greenish yellow
grows 75-100' tall in pyramidal to rounded to vase-shaped habit--more irregular or vase-shaped with age
dioecious-- female fruit has white cottony tufts attached to seeds-- can be messy
prefers full sun and moist, fertile soils, but will grow about anywhere; fast growth rate
native to Missouri