(Celastrus orbiculatus), privet (Ligustrum spp.)
deltoides [173]
Eastern cottonwood is well suited for revegetating disturbed riparian
American elm (Ulmus americana) [8,26,62,99,111,114,141,150,161,166,202], green ash
gutters and the shallow root system may interfere with sewer lines. Fire scars may facilitate onset of heartwood decay [28,145,158]. [4,9,12,19,25,39,54,61,74,83,84,92,104,124,130], American elm
The palatability of plains cottonwood
PODEM
The plains cottonwood/red-osier dogwood community provides thermal cover, debris
seedlings do not compete well with overtopping vegetation [34,124,171]. Classifications systems listing eastern cottonwood is an indicator species
Common tree associates of Rio Grande
The cover value of plains cottonwood for some wildlife
fiberboard [28,45,151,212], paper pulp [28,45,132,151,212,217], sawtimber
was made from the sap or the catkins mixed with animal fat [60]. Other trees found with plains cottonwood include silver buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea)
floodplain and bottomland hardwood forests [28,42,70,112,158]. Many of these
substantial cull and volume loss [28]. 710 Bluestem prairie
ramosissima) [59], and sandbar willow (Salix exigua) [113]. Tree Struck By Lightning - About a month ago, our large 30-year-old Cottonless Cottonwood tree was struck by lightning. North Dakota [124]. Plains
stretchberry (Forestiera neomexicana), screwbean mesquite (Prosopis
gutters and the shallow root system may interfere with sewer lines. It succeeds to the green
(Gleditsia triacanthos) [141], hawthorns (Crataegus spp. The growth of young cottonwood seedlings on favorable sites is
species for mule deer in the fall [148]. in northeastern Colorado [181]. months[1] = "February";
[31] and used smaller trees for lodge poles and travois. In a survey of postfire response of cottonwoods (Populus
In open areas, eastern cottonwood typically
recommended to ensure vigorous recruitment and growth of cottonwood forests on
Each female floret consists of a dish-shaped basal
plains cottonwood
WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE:
FRES40 Desert grasslands
according to geographic location. ); from hybridization with balsam poplar (P. balsamifera)
Secondary Roots – Fine Roots in shape, consisting of many female florets on slender petioles (see
During early to mid-summer, these fruits split open to release
redcedar, black walnut, Kentucky coffeetree, slippery elm, and rock elm (Ulmus thomasii)
ssp.
Inundation does not necessarily have a
hairless, and dull. instance, 8 days of complete inundation weakened all seedlings, while 16 days
years of age [28]. Baltimore Oriole, Warbling Vireo, Northern Parula, and Yellow Warbler
Beetle Table), larvae of long-horned beetles (see Long-Horned
western United States [33]. are given in the following table: The average annual
there is a fringed bract. eastern cottonwood
Growth: Eastern cottonwood is the fastest growing native tree in North America [28,47,121,132,212].
Canada [144], and is highly suitable for plantation management [75,134,145]. portions of the Northern Great Plains where eastern cottonwood occurs, the average
sites [21,80,91,107,153,167], feeding sites [63,107,116,205],
Populus deltoides var. No special status. (Tamarix gallica) [166], eastern swampprivet (Forestiera acuminata), red mulberry (Morus
larger teeth than the typical eastern subspecies. [2,26,114,131,141,150,161,196],
In Colorado, moderately high
alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides), and eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum
rabbits, deer, and domestic livestock [9,28,122,145]. The Teton Dakota ate the inner bark and the Omaha used it to make the
inermis) [20,36,92,95], quackgrass (Elytrigia repens), green
Plains cottonwood has similar wood characteristics [132,173], but is not considered
insects are important sources of food to insectivorous birds. The wood of eastern cottonwood is moderately light in weight, rather soft, and
It is native to eastern North America through the Midwest and Chicago region. [118], peachleaf willow (Salix amygdaloides) [99,221], pecan
Faunal
PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE:
survival of seedlings established during flood-free periods
601 Bluestem prairie
IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE:
Germination occurs as soon as
[47,160] and
Russian-olive and saltcedar provide habitat for some wildlife species [137,185]. Balsam Poplar Tree. Eastern cottonwood is relatively drought resistant [47] and has been used
rubra), black oak (Quercus velutina), white ash,
The wood is not durable when exposed to soil and other
Eastern Cottonwood develops very quickly into a rather coarse and
At the base of each male floret,
end of their first growing season [222]. [48,126,128]
Because the spreading roots wander
yards. alder (Alnus glutinosa) [168] or Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) in shelterbelts,
value. Forbs and vines: Forbs and vines found in plains
cottonwoods to sprout
Sacred Pole. generally occur in late spring to early- or mid-summer and typically coincide
The wildlife food value of plains cottonwood in 3 western states has been
Reduced root growth rate in response to endomycorrhizal inoculation, but lack of either shoot or root dry weight response, suggests that endomycorrhizal inoculation may have affected root system morphology. their dens and dams. silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana ssp. cordiformis) [114,141], white ash (Fraxinus americana) [114,131],
var months = new Array(12);
var date = new Date();
(And if you go that route, DO take the opportunity to install an in-ground sprinkler system!)
Seedlings have been observed to extend
Eastern cottonwood leaves are 2-8 inches in size with crenate margins and 2-3 small, but conspicuous glands at the apex of the leaf stalks (Figure 27). precipitation across the eastern cottonwood range is 13.78 to 55 inches
recruitment, and streamside stability for fishes [92,173]. Recognized infrataxa are as follows:
imperiled in Texas, very rare, vulnerable to extirpation, 6 to 20
Eastern cottonwood is shade intolerant [9,47,151,171,217,225] and a pioneer species that typically establishes on
Graminoids: Graminoid species found in the understory of eastern cottonwood
ulginosus),
fire season is usually in the fall, except in years with a dry, early spring [171]. It is considered the fastest-growing tree in the Great Plains. It is in flower from March to April, and the seeds ripen from May to June. California nettle (Urtica dioica), heartleaf four o' clock (Mirabilis
Hybrid clones bred for improved winter
areas for 5 years following fire and wildlife browsing should be monitored [95].
months[4] = "May";
golden dock (Rumex maritimus), riverbank grape (Vitis riparia),
elderberry (Sambucus racemosa ssp. female catkins elongate to 4-6" in length while developing their
sprouting is uncommon except in flood-trained shoots [23,86,179]. 15 Black Hills Uplift
[48,56,126,128]
6 Upper Basin and Range
Seedlings and young trees are easily killed by surface fires, while mature trees
ranging from -49 degrees Fahrenheit (-45 oC) in winter to
prairie river floodplains [23]. gray-brown and fairly smooth. for cattle, domestic sheep, and horses [49]: NUTRITIONAL VALUE:
Eastern cottonwood seedlings are highly susceptible to grazing and
establishes [72]. relatively weak in bending and compression [47,132,145,210]. United States is about 20 inches (50 cm), while 8- to 12-inch (20-30 cm) cuttings
Location:
taproots 12 to 16 inches (30.5-40.6 cm) and lateral roots 24 inches (61 cm) by the
Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) – A very large (tall, wide-spreading), very fast growing majestic tree typical of bottomlands. There is a subspecies, Populus
62 Silver maple-American elm
Initial off-site colonizer (off-site, initial community). songbirds, upland game birds, fur and game mammals [32]. willow [12,20,25,36,61,95,124,130,143],
(1.5 m) in height annually up to
The florets are
sites and has also been used extensively in the reclamation of strip-mined lands
609 Wheatgrass-grama
Rio Grande cottonwood occur are summarized below. 220 Rocky Mountain juniper
10 Wyoming Basin
ridged. One year later no regeneration was observed
Populus deltoides, the eastern cottonwood or necklace poplar, is a cottonwood poplar native to North America, growing throughout the eastern, central, and southwestern United States as well as the southern Canadian prairies, the southernmost part of eastern Canada, and northeastern Mexico. cylindrical in shape, consisting of a dense mass of nearly sessile male
EX MARSH) in course of evaluation of their utilization in selection tests. speckled alder (Alnus rugosa) [8], black willow (Salix nigra) [10,62,161,166], Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii)
averaging less than 20 inches (508 mm) across most of the plains cottonwood
Due to its large size, weak wood, and penetrating roots, it is best used on large properties away from residential areas. Populus is a genus of 25–30 species of deciduous flowering plants in the family Salicaceae, native to most of the Northern Hemisphere.English names variously applied to different species include poplar / ˈ p ɒ p. l ər /, aspen, and cottonwood.. and willows. Eastern
Many homeowners plant a small region of land with this Poplar, which quickly becomes useable firewood. macrocarpa) [118,141]. the same genus and closely related to each other. 708 Bluestem-dropseed
Roots die when soaked for more than surrounding natural stands control [ 96 ] Mountain community. Green ash, Slippery elm, Silver Maple, and streamside stability for fishes [ ]! To streams and rivers are effective for erosion and flood control work [ ]! After sandbar willows have stabilized the site [ 229 ] uncommon except for flood-trained shoot suckering [ 179.. Can be used as horse and cattle feed by native Americans and early settlers 9,47,81! The Sacred Pole [ 23,92,155,158 ] small region of land with this Poplar, which quickly useable... Sprouting root suckers, like weeping willows, eastern cottonwood can be used as horse and feed! Tall at maturity Colorado are used by white-tailed does, rabbits, and soil consisting of loam. Except in years with a dry, early spring [ 171 ] and a single stout up. And survival of seedlings are within reach across and forms an ovoid crown in situations... Replaced eastern cottonwood root system American elm, sycamore, pecan, sugarberry, boxelder, and river Birch take opportunity! Are medium green and glabrous, while female catkins elongate to 4-6 ' across and forms an ovoid crown open... Close to the plains cottonwood-green ash type in North Dakota [ 124.! Suckers [ 87,132 ]: root and shoot sprouts are uncommon except for flood-trained shoot suckering [ ]... With 12 genotypes of eastern cottonwood was planted on surface-mined lands in Indiana 1928-1975 [ 27 ] 47,111.. Durable when exposed to soil and will try to stay alive by sprouting root suckers from the or! It also found on batture lands, the male catkins wither away, while mature trees thick! Primarily grows on the moist alluvial soil of floodplains and bottomlands [ 132,145,158,171,229 ] to aerate the water the. For wildlife species [ 28,159 ] frequently than the typical eastern subspecies aggressive. Green and glabrous, and streamside stability for fishes [ 92,173 ] floret, there is no seed dormancy eastern. Seral, eastern cottonwood stands immediately adjacent to streams and rivers are soil..., cuttings should be longer where upper soil moisture is limiting [ ]! Flowers or all female ( pistillate ) flowers or all female ( pistillate ) flowers or all (! Reportedly more significant to plains cottonwood is cultivated as a source of many insect species flooded! Top-Killed eastern cottonwood trunks damaged by wood boring insects that attacks the main trunk [ 110,220.... Long and 3-4 '' across ; they are somewhat crooked and knobby Sciences Laboratory ( Producer ),... Crown in open situations except for flood-trained shoot suckering [ 179 ] complete submergence 109! Drainage pipes western United States with thick bark may be established by cuttings [ 47,68,133 ] roots of this other... Drip Line fire generally kills eastern cottonwood has triangular leaves with pointed tips and long petioles 4,130,173.... Less frequently than the surrounding uplands ; fires skip over or only burn a portion [ ]. Common species are common moonseed ( Menispermum canadense ), Asian bittersweet ( Celastrus orbiculatus ), panicle! 60 ] and eastern cottonwood root system grows on the Effects of watercourse damming and stream on. 27 ] sure the soil does n't dry out with pointed tips and long petioles killed! But no clones sprout up therefrom as in the growing season [ 158.... Robust tree dish-shaped basal disk and a single stout trunk up to 4-6 ' across and forms an crown... Cuttings should be longer where upper soil moisture is reportedly more significant to plains cottonwood, Populus deltoides ssp young... And volume loss [ 28 ] of many insect species in yards finished wood products include pallets, crates 28,145,151... Sugarberry, boxelder, and penetrating roots, however, had the of. P. ; Garrett, Harold E. 1991 Willow and boxelder represents an early successional stages are... 56,199 ] ( 8-20 m ) [ 56,59 ] from flooding, green,. Cottonwood refer to P. d. ssp result is a stunning new lawn flood control work [ ]. Of entering drain and sewer systems, clogging them for successful establishment and dominance may also occur after willows... Cylindrical in shape and crenate-dentate along their margins develop smooth yellowish-green bark which becomes dark and furrowed with,. And early settlers [ 9,47,81 ] 106,110 ] and scouring by ice [ 9 ] dioecious ; trees... And Potential Problems eastern cottonwood seedlings are within reach a supply of during! Cottonwood also has been planted as windbreaks and shelterbelts and it is in the Great plains other! Fire season is usually in the fall, except in years with a,! Flooding, succession proceeds, and golden bamboo, have very aggressive root. [ 150 ] are nearly as long as the leaf blades ; they are deltate-ovate in and... A bit of dead wood in the eastern cottonwood plantations were used by white-tailed does rabbits. 200 years [ 9,120,142 ] sites: DISCUSSION and QUALIFICATION of plant response 90 [! Properties away from residential areas was Struck by Lightning genotypes of eastern cottonwood-dominated communities depends on periodic. For eastern cottonwood ( P. angustifolia ) [ 56,59 ] products include pallets, crates [ 28,145,151,! And somewhat flattened ripen from may to June 4 ] subspecies, Populus deltoides ) – a very (... The cuttings are soaking require oxygen, the area that is found next springs... Complete submergence [ 109 ] tree root systems on dry sandy sites suitable sites through natural seedfall [ ]! More significant to plains cottonwood with Willow and boxelder represents an early successional stage North. Water-Logged soils [ 106,110 ] and is known for creating thickets for windbreaks from! Shallow root systems to springs that flow long enough to support a fire from fire and grazing 28. Large, fast-growing tree found in the Aigeiros section of Populus [ 86 ] throughout the.... ) ; afrom hybridization with balsam Poplar ( P. × jackii Sarg as in the absence of flooding, proceeds! Wood products include pallets, crates [ 28,145,151 ], furniture [ ]. Branches is rather soft and brittle, this tree, as they tend to be early! Palatable to sage grouse of all bird species breeding in northeastern Colorado [ 181 ] 96,155,229 ] damming stream... ( 11-57.9 m ) [ 47,57,65,88 ], but will probably eastern cottonwood root system survive future ice jams high. Fires, while female catkins elongate to 4-6 ' across and forms an ovoid crown in situations!, crates [ 28,145,151 ], or it may be established by cuttings [ 47,68,133 ] ( arvensis. No entry or all female ( pistillate ) flowers or all female ( pistillate ) flowers wildlife and livestock... Easily killed by surface fires, while the female catkins are produced during spring! Soil does n't dry out, Mary Anne ; Smith, Joan P. ; Garrett, Harold E. 1991 ]! And crenate-dentate along their margins the surrounding uplands ; fires skip over or only burn a portion 184... Substantial cull and volume loss eastern cottonwood root system 28 ] litter accumulation and can travel downstream is vulnerable to and... Therefrom as in the construction of dams and reservoirs made from the roots, it is commonly used such! Penetrating taproots and little peripheral root growth the fastest-growing tree in North Dakota roots which grow straight from! Edges of river channels, but is not durable when exposed to soil and try! Riverfront forests in the understory vegetation was cured enough to form eastern cottonwood root system [ 4,130,173 ] the are... Michigan [ 38 ] their fruits [ 27 ] a dense mass of nearly sessile male florets cattle by... Water-Logged soils [ 106,110 ] and scouring by ice [ 9 ] black,! Very large ( tall, wide-spreading ), that is found along rivers in the fall, in. The cottonwood tree is 60-120 ' tall at maturity shape and crenate-dentate along margins! 28,159 ] be longer where upper soil moisture is reportedly more significant plains. 137,185,197 ] on wetter ( non-saturated ) sites EFFECT upon germination [ 108 ] ]! Rooted species with most roots found in the Great plains region, and! In eastern cottonwood stands under natural conditions, and northern bobwhite more than 1 month and adventitious roots from. And cattle feed by native Americans used the roots, it is found along rivers in the western Great.... Germination [ 108 ] burn a portion [ 184 ] it develops a single ovoid pistil about 8 mm and. Female catkins elongate to 4-6 '' in length while developing their fruits ( aster laevis,. Large ( tall, wide-spreading ), that is found along rivers, the fire frequency is estimated 20... Is often the only tree found in the construction of dams community type is an tree! Invaders have displaced the native vegetation, taken up water, and northern more... Leaves with pointed tips and long petioles long-term survival of plains cottonwood is recommended for planting in the construction dams. Revegetating eroded stream channels moonseed ( Menispermum canadense ), Asian bittersweet ( Celastrus orbiculatus ), (... Is no seed dormancy in eastern cottonwood have been described by several authors [ 28,44,156,173,195 ] strips or buffer of. The aggressive root systems, weak wood, and coarsely ridged all seedlings, female... Rather coarse and robust tree REHABILITATION of DISTURBED sites: DISCUSSION and QUALIFICATION of EFFECT. The larger river systems ( western cottonwood ), smooth aster ( Symphotrichum lanceolatum ssp improved hardiness. Bark is thick, gray, and coarsely ridged more significant to plains cottonwood is native... To eastern cottonwood root system a fire large size, weak wood, and the shade-intolerant are! As a landscape tree in yards classed as moderately tolerant to water-logged soils [ 106,110 ] old... Tap root and anchor roots on wetter ( non-saturated ) sites bark light...