PSC 2620: Woody Trees and ShrubCourse HomeWeek 7

Populus deltoides - Eastern Poplar or Cottonwood

Plant Viewer
The leaves are a triangular ovate shape, 3-5 inches long and a glossy green. The leaves turn an unimpressive yellow in the fall.
The light gray bark is extremely thick and corky, with very large ridges and furrows. Female varieties produce cottony seeds that are messy and aggravate allergy sufferers.

Plant Description

A useful tree, though somewhat of a trash tree. Populus deltoides, or Eastern Poplar or Cottonwood, is an extremely fast growing tree that will add 4-5 feet or more of height each season. It will eventually reach a height of 75-100 feet and 50-75 feet wide. It has a an upright, broadly vase-shaped habit, but the form is usually damaged by dead or broken limbs. The massive trunks are covered in gray bark that is deeply ridged, with very large and wide ridges and fissures. Although it will handle drought conditions once mature, it needs wet soil to get established and to thrive.

The leaves are 3-5 inches long with a triangular-ovate shape and arranged alternately on the stem. The margin of the leave has rounded serrations that may look undulate. The leaf is a glossy green color. In the fall the leaves turn yellow and often have some brown spotting on the leaf.

The fruit of the tree is a capsule, 1/3 inch long, that when it opens reveals a mass of cotton-tufted seeds. These are dispersed by the wind and will create white clouds of cotton in the air and masses on the ground. Allergy-sufferers despise this tree when it is seeding.

Landscape Use

Its quick-growth rate makes it the ideal solution for a quick-fix to a missing shade tree or visual screen. It should not be used within ten feet of a sidewalk, driveway or patio or the roots will buckle the hard surface. Additionally, do not plant near water lines or sceptic tanks, as the roots will invade these and damage them.

I recommend that people use Poplars as only a temporary tree. They are quick to grow and quick to die, and quick to become ugly and cumbersome. Plant the tree you really want at the same time as the Poplar, and once it has become sizable, remove the Poplar.

Points of interest

It is an excellent choice for soil stabilization and is used extensively in riparian restoration projects.

Poplar will sucker profusely and can send up new starts quite a distance away from the main trunk.

Notable Cultivars

Siouxland A cottonless form of the tree. It has an upright rounded form, reaching 80-100 feet high and 30-40 feet wide.


Populus deltoides Afghanica or Theves Poplar Also known as Theves. It is columnar and upright. reaching 80 feet tall with a width of 10-20 feet.