Cottonwood is a rapid growing tree and becomes very large with age. Sexes are separate. Male catkins show colorful red stamens in the spring. The small, light seeds are attached to a white cottony substance which aids in wind dispersal of the seeds. Female trees produce tremendous amounts of the seed which can literally make the ground white. Tree form is upright spreading with an oval to rounded crown. The glossy medium green leaves are 3-5″ long and equally wide. Fall color is yellow. Because of the tree’s large size and tendency for branches to break in wind and ice storms, Cottonwood is usually not recommended for residential landscapes or other small properties. It is a good tree for highway and park plantings where little maintenance is possible. Cottonwood is native throughout the upper midwest.
