Cottonwood

General 
Scientific Name: Populus deltoides 
Family: Salicaceae (Willow) 
Hardiness: Zone 2 
Leaves: Deciduous 
Plant Type: Tree 

Growth 
Rate: Fast 
Mature Height: >45’ 
Longevity: Long 
Power Line: No 

Ornamental 
Flowers: Inconspicuous 
Fruit: Light, fluffy ‘cotton’ released in early summer 
Fall Color: Yellow

The largest and fastest growing tree in the state. Native to moist soils along streams and wetlands throughout North Dakota. Flood control dams have reduced spring flooding and therefore the success of natural cottonwood regeneration along riparian areas. The largest living tree in North Dakota is 110 feet tall with a canopy spread of 94 feet.

Light: Full Sun. 
Water: Medium. 
Soil: Moist, well drained soils.

Technically, Populus deltoides is Eastern cottonwood, while the natural variety Plains cottonwood (P. deltoides var. occidentalis) is found in western North Dakota and further west in the Great Plains. The ranges of Eastern cottonwood and Plains cottonwood overlap.

Cottonwood is dioecious, meaning that there are separate male trees and female trees. ‘Siouxland’ cottonwood (Populus deltoides ‘Siouxland’) is a male and is therefore seedless. It is also rustresistant and was released by SDSU, Brookings, South Dakota. 

Populus deltoides is one of the parents in a number of hybrid poplars, conferring cold hardiness and fast growth.

Photo Credit:

Joseph Zeleznik, Ph.D., Extension Forester

Cottonwood

Photo Credit:

Joseph Zeleznik, Ph.D., Extension Forester

Cottonwood

Photo Credit:

Joseph Zeleznik, Ph.D., Extension Forester

Cottonwood