Eastern Cottonwood
Populus deltoides
A large deciduous tree known for its rapid growth, deeply furrowed grey bark, and triangular leaves that flutter in the breeze.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
- Water
- High water needs; thrives in wet or damp soils and requires regular deep watering during dry spells
- Growth
- Perennial large deciduous tree, reaching mature heights of 60 to 100 feet or more with a wide, spreading canopy and extremely fast growth rate
Care instructions
Provide full sun and consistently moist soil. Fertilization is generally not necessary unless the tree is growing in very poor soil conditions.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
Watering
High water needs; thrives in wet or damp soils and requires regular deep watering during dry spells
Soil
Prefers rich, moist, loamy or alluvial soils with good drainage, adaptable to a range of pH levels from acidic to alkaline
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 2 through 9
Growth habit
Perennial large deciduous tree, reaching mature heights of 60 to 100 feet or more with a wide, spreading canopy and extremely fast growth rate
Bloom season
Spring; produces inconspicuous catkins before the leaves emerge
Propagation
Propagated easily through hardwood or softwood cuttings, as well as by seed
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to cankers, leaf rust, borers, and defoliating insects; brittle wood can be prone to storm damage
Similar species
Black Poplar (Populus nigra), distinguished by differences in leaf shape, bud characteristics, and branching angles