Tree Features: Eastern Cottonwood – Populus Deltoides

Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) can be either male or female. Eastern Cottonwood trees get their name from the fluffy white seeds produced by the females during early summer. The seeds are very small, 1mm wide by 4 mm long. Eastern Cottonwood trees are one of the largest trees in North America, up to 100 ft. high with massive trunks up to 5 ft. in diameter.

Eastern Cottonwoods are related to poplars and aspens and are the fastest-growing commercial forest tree species native to North America when grown on well-drained soils near streams or rivers. Eastern Cottonwoods are used for furniture, and pulpwood, they are used extensively for the production of the finest paper.