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EASTERN COTTONWOOD (Populus deltoides)
PLAINS COTTONWOOD (Populus sargentii)
Other names: cottonwood, eastern poplar, plains poplar.

POOR TO FAIR

These cottonwoods are found throughout the eastern and plains states as the names indicate. They are separate Specie$ but very similar in appearance, and are generally just called cottonwood. These trees are rapid growing, reach sizes of up to 6 ft. diameter and have a life expectancy of about 125 years. Like all cottonwoods they thrive only along stream banks and river bottoms. The wood is soft and watery, very heavy when green but usually punky when dead or dying. The wood decays rapidly once on the ground. 

These cottonwoods grow so rapidly that they will heal over almost any injury within a few years when young and vigorous. The blaze face will often be rotted out behind the overgrowth but scribing may be found in reverse. If a 10" or 12" tree was originally marked the fade may be behind 2 ft. or more of overgrowth with no evidence of the blaze in the rough bark. Once mature, death and decay set in rapidly, the tree soon disappears but if windthrown leaves a large stump hole. The principle objections to these trees is the short life and rapid decay-of dead wood or injuries. 

Select young trees, up to 10" diameter. Keep the blaze as small as possible and smoothly drained at the bottom. Release if in dense stand. Paint the blaze thoroughly.