12 



COTTONWOOD. 



Cottonwood is native to the region, where it grows along the 

 streams and lake borders. In favorable situations its growth is very 

 rapid, and often it reaches large size in a comparatively short time. 

 The wood is light, soft, and porous, and decays quickly when exposed. 

 It has been used largely for fuel. Cottonwood lumber is liable to 

 warp and twist, yet of late it has come into use as a substitute for 

 yellow poplar in the manufacture of buggy boxes, and brings a fair 

 price. 



The tree has a narrow, open crown, and when grown in pure stands 

 is unable to cast shade sufficient to keep out undesirable undergrowth. 

 In the river-bottom groves, grapevines often dangle from the trees, 

 and tall rank weeds of a jungle-like character cover the ground. In 

 the upland groves a grassy sod is generally present. 



Cottonwood has been planted more upon the upland than any other 

 tree. With good cultivation it grows fast for a time, but during an 

 exceptionally dry year it exhibits its unfitness for planting upon the 

 prairie. A notable example of failure exists near Davis, S. Dak. 

 Thirty acres were planted about the year 1872. During the drought 

 of 1894 the trees died by wholesale on the higher ground. At present 

 the grove is used as a pasture, and supports 4 horses and 30 head of 

 cattle from the middle of April to the middle of July or longer. On 

 the other hand a grove planted 25 years ago in the river bottom near 

 Mitchell, S. Dak., will cut 30,784 board feet of lumber to the acre. 



Cottonwood may be planted on the upland for a temporary wind- 

 break until a more permanent tree can be grown ; or it may be mixed 

 with a more suitable species, to be cut out as soon as it interferes with 

 the others. A few tall trees near the farm buildings may be of serv- 

 ice in protecting the buildings from lightning. A single row of trees 

 planted along the roadside will generally produce a large volume of 

 wood in a short time as well as afford protection* to neighboring 

 fields. 



Whenever a cottonwood grove has thinned out inordinately it 

 should be underplanted with a more permanent tree; at best it is a 

 temporary tree, and should be regarded as such. In the north it is 

 especially liable to become frost cracked; slender trees are often 

 broken during a storm. A leaf rust (Melampsora populina) occa- 

 sionally affects the foliage of small trees and the lower branches of 



A single row of cottonwood trees planted 4 feet apart along the public high- 

 way has been known to produce 46.9 cords of fuel per mile in 17 years. At $5 

 per cord this would have a total value of $234.50 or an average annual value 

 of $13.80. 

 [Cir. 145] 



