Black Cottonwood • Populus trichocarpa

As winter fades, the buds of the black cottonwood tree produce a delightful resinous fragrance. These buds, in the process of swelling, herald the impending arrival of spring. As leaves emerge when the weather warms, bees will gather the sap from leaf bud scales to use as an antimicrobial sealant in their hives. 

Starting early March, the tree will produce it's male and female reproductive catkins, borne on separate trees. Seeds will ripen mid to late summer and are dispersed via wind, water, or animal fur. Female trees will produce seeds no matter if they are fertilized or not as catkins. The seeds will simply be unviable.

Fall brings the beginning of dormancy, and leaves turn yellow before falling onto the ground. As soon as the leaves separate from the tree, new buds are just starting to form.

Black Cottonwood is flood resistant, but will not do well in areas that are constantly wet or water-logged. Plant this in areas where it can receive ample water and where the soil never completely dries out. The first two to three years are important establishment years, so providing adequate moisture and protection from afternoon sun is ideal.

Black Cottonwood is not a tidy tree. Between its brittle branches and white puffy seeds, planting in areas next to houses, driveways, or heavily used entertainment spaces is not recommended. Male trees exhibit less of a mess, but can still produce sap that leaks onto the ground (and ill-parked vehicles). Do not plant this in town unless you want your neighbors to complain about the mess each year!

This tree sprouts suckers from it's roots, and branches have been known to root if carried downstream and settle on nutrient rich soil. A good amount of pruning and cleanup is required to make the Black Cottonwood part of a garden, but is an excellent option for adding distant shade to a property.