Can you imagine, the seeds in the bit of fluff from last week’s mystery seed can grow into one of the tallest eastern hardwoods?

cottonwood-tall-better

This is the eastern cottonwood, Populus deltoides.

The species name comes from the “deltoid” shape of the leaves.

cottonwood-leaf

Cottonwoods often grow near water.

cottonwood-water

They have deeply grooved, braided bark.

cottonwood-nathan

cottonwood-fall-color

In the fall the leaves turn a gorgeous golden yellow.

This last photograph is from here in Arizona.

Do cottonwoods grow where you live?