Populus deltoides

Common Names

Common Cottonwood, Alamo, Carolina Poplar, Cottonwood, Eastern Cottonwood, Eastern Poplar, Necklace Poplar, Plains Cottonwood, Poplar, Southern Poplar

Summary

Eastern cottonwood is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree native to eastern North America and the Midwest, commonly found along streams and floodplains with a broad, open crown. Leaves are triangular (deltoid) with coarsely toothed margins, dark green above and paler beneath, and flutter in the breeze; spring catkins precede seed release, which occurs in cottony fluff. Thrive in full sun with moist, well-drained soils; hardy in USDA zones 2-9; typically reaches 50-100 ft tall with a broad crown and requires ample space; has an extensive root system that can damage sidewalks or sewer lines. Propagation is by hardwood cuttings; widely used for shade, windbreaks, erosion control on strip mine spoils, and rapid screening in landscapes. Maintenance includes weed control and protection from deer, with pruning best done in the dormant season; common issues include borers, rust, leaf spots, and cankers, and cottony seeds may clog gutters.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

900-1200 inches

Spread

420-900 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun; tolerates Partial Sun.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil, typically fine sandy loams or silt loams.

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soils

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Red, Yellow, Green

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green (dark green on the upper surface; may turn yellow in fall)

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow, Yellow-Orange

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Populus deltoides is fast-growing, typically about 6–12 feet per year under favorable conditions, with up to about 13 feet possible in the first year.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Suckers, Sprouting from stumps

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, other pollinators, butterflies, birds