Eastern Cottonwood

(Populus deltoides)

Salicaceae

▲▼  mature trees

▲▼  mature trees

▲▼  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