PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 427 



THE COTTONWOOD. 



Popidus monilifcra. Syn. Carolina Poplar, Etc. 



This well known tree is widely disseminated throughout the Middle and 

 Western States, is very abundant in the Southwest throughout the Mississippi 

 Valley, and extending to the Rocky mountains along the streams, appearing in 

 numerous dense thickets on the river sand bars and wherever there is enough 

 moisture to germinate the seeds and prevent annual fires from destroying the 

 young plant. 



The influence which this pioneer tree has exerted in building up the great 

 States of the West can hardly be estimated. For hundreds of miles along the 

 trails leading to the region of gold since '49 it was practically the only tree from 

 which the pioneers could obtain fuel with which to cook their meals and warm 

 themselves after a tiresome day's journey. There were no streams between the 

 Missouri river and the Continental divide but which had groves of cottonwoods 

 and isolated trees lining their banks, and while there were some willows, box 

 elder and various shrubs, yet the cottonwood was the only tree in large numbers. 



Along the Platte, Missouri, Yellowstone and other Western rivers the groves 

 of cottonwood trees proved to be of vast importance to the pioneer, who made 

 settlements in the far west, as but little wood beside was found from which fuel 

 and building material could be obtained. 



The dense thickets of Cottonwood along the Mississippi river for very many 

 \ears supplied almost the only fuel used by steamboats on the long trips between 

 Xew Orleans and the cities of the Xorth. 



Its seed, which is formed in vast quantities, is furnished with a bunch of cot- 

 tony down so light and buoyant that it is wafted by a slight breeze to great dis- 

 tances, this being the one principal cause of its extensive distribution. The 

 young tree, in fertile soil, makes rapid growth, while its extreme hardiness enables 

 it to withstand treatment which would destroy many less hardy trees. 



The profusion of its seed is remarkable. The downy appendages to the seed 

 enabled the wind to carry them in immense numbers to every nook and corner 

 of western America. Why were there not vast forests? And why confined to 

 low valleys and water courses? The answer is simple and fully explains the 

 total failure of the numerous tree claims under* the Congressional Timber Cul- 

 ture Act. and the reason for the abject failure of that well-meaning law. 



The cottonwood cannot exist without large quantities of water. Its roots 

 must be bathed in water constantly to maintain a vigorous growth. Like the elm 

 and the willows, its habitat lies in moist places along water courses where its roots 

 may drink freely during the growing period. 



