Black Locust vs Black Cottonwood - TreeTime.ca

Black Locust vs Black Cottonwood

Robinia pseudoacacia

Populus trichocarpa

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Black Locust
Black Cottonwood

Black Locust is an attractive tree. Its distinctive leaves are made of about a dozen bright green leaflets. It also notable for its fragrant white flowers, which smell of citrus.

Black Locust can grow in many situations, but prefers dry areas with lots of sun. It is robust and is an excellent choice for establishing shade in dry, open areas.

Important note: Much of the Black Locust is toxic to humans and livestock, including seeds, bark, and leaves.

Black Cottonwood is the largest and tallest of the North American poplars. Named after its white, fluffy seeds with cottony hairs, this hardy tree produces sticky, fragrant buds and has a straight growth habit. Black Cottonwood needs ample moisture and nutrients to grow successfully to full height and are found in the Western provinces and the Yukon with BC being its heartland.

Black Locust Quick Facts

Black Cottonwood Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 4a
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Height: 30 m (100 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium


Bark: dark reddish brown to balck with furrows
Flowers: Creamy white flowers in a pyramidal shape bloom in may-june
Seeds: dark brown peapod-like pods
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Other Names: false acacia, yellow locust
Other Names: balsam cottonwood, california poplar, western balsam poplar