OF Ohio 



43 



COTTONWOOD 



Populus deltoides, Marshall 



THE Cottonwood is one of the most rapid growing trees 

 native to Ohio. 



The leaves are simple, alternate, broadly triangular, square 

 at base, 3 to 5 inches 

 long, with long and 

 laterally fl a 1 1 e n ed 

 leaf-stalks. 



The flowers ap- 

 pear before the leaves. 

 Pollen - bearing and 

 seed-producing occur 

 on different trees. 

 Both are arranged in 

 drooping tassels. 



The fruit is a 3 to 

 4-valved capsule ar- 

 ranged in drooping 

 tassels and containing 

 numerous small seeds 

 with tufts of fine 

 hairs. 



The bark on 

 young trunks is 

 smooth and greenish- 

 yellow, on old trunks 

 becomes ashy - gray 

 to dark brown and 

 deep furrowed. The 

 lateral branches take 

 an upright position. The twigs are stout, yellowish, 

 marked with grayish dots, have prominent ridges below leaf- 

 scars. The buds are large, resinous, glossy, chestnut-brown. 

 Terminal bud is often 5 -angled. 



The wood is soft, not durable, white to brown, works 

 easily. Used for paper pulp, boxes and crates. 



The Cottonwood is found from Quebec south to Florida 

 and west to the Rocky Mountains. This tree occurs 

 throughout Ohio. It is used in reforestation work on low- 

 lands and flood plains. A variety, "Carolina Poplar," was 

 formerly planted along streets and in parks. It has many 

 bad habits. Clogging sewers is one of them. 



The introduced Lombardy Poplar, a native of southern 

 Europe, is planted locally in Ohio for ornamental uses. It 

 can be recognized by its narrow and high crown, with al- 

 most vertical lateral branches. 



COTTONWOOD 



One-foarth natural size, except enlarged flowers 

 and twig. 



