In 2012, it had a measured circumference of 557 inches (14,100 mm), height of 102 feet (31 m), and a spread of 149.5 feet (45.6 m). Their botanical name is Populus deltoi Flower & fruit Catkins (flowering body of the tree) grow differently on male and female trees, along with sticky fragrant leaf buds, and are among the first signs of spring. This is the largest of the North American poplar trees. The Eastern Cottonwood is from eastern North America and typically found growing along streams, rivers, and in lowland areas and swamps, and here in Houston, we like to plant them as a showy, fast-growing shade tree! The common name of cottonwood comes from the appearance of these hairs, which resemble cotton. The Freemont Cottonwood's fruit differs in that it is light brown and egg-shaped. Populus deltoides, commonly called eastern cottonwood, is a large, fast-growing, deciduous tree that typically grows 50-80’ (less frequently to 120’) tall with a broad, open-rounded shaped habit. This giant may grow 24+" annually, once established. Fruit Characteristics. Fruits: Eastern Cottonwoods produce green capsule-looking fruits containing multiple cottony seeds. The fruit is a wind dispersed achene, that appears to look like patches of cotton hanging from limbs, thus the name cottonwood. Plant in the full sun and moist, well-drained soil, preferably within 15-50 ft above stream level. Eastern cottonwood leaves are triangular (deltoid) with curved teeth along the edges. other fruit (not cone, winged, acorn, or in pod or capsule) fruit in small capsules along stem; capsule with floss and disk at base; thick walled, bead shaped; Cottonwood (Eastern Cottonwood) Populus deltoides. The petiole is flattened and glands are present at the top of the petiole. Male flowers are reddish pint and droop down in a catkin shape and are ¾–1¼ inches (2–3 cm) long and female ones are larger, 3–8 inches (8–20 cm) long catkins. The fruits of Black Cottonwoods are similar except they have a hairy appearance. The bark is smooth and silvery-white when young and becomes hard, gray, and deeply fissured as the tree matures. Eastern Cottonwood Populus deltoides If you want to achieve quick shade in a large open space, Eastern Cottonwood is a fine choice. Yellowish twigs, coarsely toothed leaves and gummy end buds distinguish this from the other poplars. eastern cottonwood Salicaceae Populus deltoides W. Bartram ex Marshall symbol: PODE3 Leaf: Alternate, simple, pinnately veined, 3 to 6 inches long, triangular (deltoid) in shape with a crenate/serrate margin. It bursts into three to four sections to release its seeds. It tolerates a wide range of soil pH, 4.5-8.0. and can withstand occasional flooding. The largest known P. fremontii tree in the United States grows in Skull Valley, Arizona. Cottonwood Fruit Cluster on Sandy River Bank Cottonwood bears its seeds in drooping clusters 5–10 inches long; the capsules are widest at the base, about ¼ inch long, splitting into 2–4 parts; the numerous seeds each have a tuft of cottony hairs. Cottonwood Tree Cottonwood seeds collecting on the ground (Photo By: EnLorax G. Edward Johnson / Wikimedia Commons) The eastern cottonwood tree (Populous deltoides) is a native North American tree that is common in eastern and central United States as well as southern Canada.Many people recognize this tree from the cottony substance that falls from the trees in early summer. Flowers on the eastern cottonwood species are reddish on male trees and yellowish-green on female trees. Flower: Species is dioecious; male and female as pendulous catkins, appearing before the leaves. Well suited along streams, riverbanks, swamps and in lowland, rain gardens and rural areas. Cottonwood tree identification.