They are one of the most shade-intolerant hardwood tree species, coming second to only the Black Willow.īoth of these trees grow in the same areas, competing for light and water. In this regard, cottonwood trees are shade intolerant. ![]() One feature of the tree worth noting that affects its growth is its shading tolerance. This fast and steady pace of growth is maintained throughout the tree’s lifetime. Once the root zone is developed, the rate of growth is much faster. 1 These optimal conditions include sufficient sunlight to supply solar energy and soil moisture to supply water for photosynthesis. Nevertheless, the seeds can enjoy a germination rate of as high as 90 percent under the right conditions. To germinate, they must find moist seedbeds or be immersed in water, conditions that are not always readily available. Unfortunately, the viability of the seeds is a bit low. Since most cottonwood trees grow around water bodies, the water medium and winds in such locations carry the seeds, dispersing them in the process. ![]() Water and wind are the seed’s main dispersal agents. Seed dispersal happens about two months after flowering. Under most conditions, the trees start producing seeds at the age of 5 to 10 years. The seeds of the tree develop in capsules hosted by short stalks. They also tend to bloom much faster than their female counterparts. 1 Usually, the male flowers and buds grow earlier than female buds. The tree is also diecious, implying the male and female flowers grow on separate trees. However, for optimal growth, well-drained soils along river banks are recommended. The tree grows in a wide range of soil types. ![]() How Cottonwood Tree Seeds Germinate and SpreadĪs noted earlier, the eastern cottonwood tree grows mostly in the east side of the US, stretching all the way into Canada. We will start by looking at how cottonwood trees germinate and spread. In the next sections, we offer a guide on identifying the cottonwood trees and distinguishing their various varieties. Identifying the cottonwood tree and distinguishing each of these tree species is quite a task. It grows mostly in southern Colorado, Texas, Mexico, and California. The final subspecies of the tree is termed Wislizeni. Cities in these areas include Manitoba and Alberta. ![]() In comparison, the Monilifera subspecies grow in south-central Canada, the central US, and New Mexico. Some of the notable areas include Ontario, Quebec, North Dakota, and Texas. The Deltoides subspecies grow in the southern-eastern parts of Canada and the Eastern parts of the US. Identifying the Cottonwood TreeĪs noted earlier, the cottonwood tree has three different subspecies spread out across North America. The Wislizeni subspecies grows in the southern parts of Colorado, Texas, and Mexico.Īll these subspecies of the cottonwood tree can grow to a height of up to 60 meters and a diameter of about 3 meters, making it one of the largest hardwood trees in North America.įor optimal growth, the trees grow around rivers and floodplains to access water. Cottonwood trees growing in southern Canada and the Eastern US come from the subspecies Deltoides, while those growing in the Southern part of Canada and the Central sections of the US go by the subspecies name Monilifera. The trees come in different varieties and are identified quite easily using their subspecies names. Read on to learn more about how to identify this beautiful tree… Going by the scientific name Populus Deltoides, the tree originates from and is common in North America, growing in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The cottonwood tree is one of the most popular tree species in the world.
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