Plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides)

Also Known As: Eastern cottonwood, Common cottonwood, Plains poplar
Plant Family: Willow (Salicaceae)

Identification Guide: *Print version
Phenophase Field Guide: *Print version

2009 Live Map - View

Did you Know? Although Plains cottonwoods are very fast growing trees, they are not long lived trees. They are susceptible to disease, fire, and drought. The light wood was important as a construction material to Native Americans and European settlers to the Mid-west and Great Plains states. It is the state tree of Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming. Note that in older books plains cottonwood and eastern cottonwood were considered separate species.

Identification Hints: Large coarse triangular leaves with flattened stems and glands at the tips distinguish it from most other species of cottonwood.

Phenological Observations of Interest: First Pollen, Full Pollen, End of Pollen, First Leaf, All Leaves Unfolded, First Ripe Fruit, 50% Color, 50% Leaf Fall

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2009 Live Map for Plains cottonwood

Below you can view the latest 100 observations that have been reported in 2009 for Plains cottonwood (If the map below is empty then there have not been any 2009 observations reported.)

Use the navigation buttons on the left to zoom in/out and pan around. Click on each place marker to get detail information about that observation.

= First Pollen
= Full Pollen
= End of Pollen
= First Leaf
= All Leaves Unfolded
= First Ripe Fruit
= 50% Color
= 50% Leaf Fall

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