This species of cottonwood is one of the largest found in North America, identifiable by its dark bark and shiny green leaves. Each summer, areas with these trees are filled with thousands of cottonwood seeds, each encased in a cotton-like fluffy mass. The seeds float through the air, often collecting on grass, curbs, parked cars, and even other trees! This tree can be tactilely identified by its rough texture, through large divots and grooves on the trunk.
Image by Beeblebrox, Wiki Creative Commons
Foliage
Black Cottonwood leaves are shiny and small, branching off stems in alternating directions. Each leaf is a rich green and heart shaped. These leaves turn yellow in the fall.
Seeds or Cones
Seeds are the cottonwood’s most identifiable feature, as the name describes them. Each individual seed is encased in “cotton”, allowing it to float and blow in the whims of the wind. This creates a more varied seed dispersal, ensuring the continued survival of the species.
All illustrations by A.S. Longman
Did you know?
Black Cottonwood is the fastest growing hardwood in the United States, at rates of over 5 feet per year!
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