Black Cottonwood vs Eastern Cottonwood - TreeTime.ca

Black Cottonwood vs Eastern Cottonwood

Populus trichocarpa

Populus deltoides

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Black Cottonwood
Eastern Cottonwood

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.

This fast and tall growing tree has an open, spreading crown and is more suited to waterside planting than other aspens and poplars.

Commonly found in floodplains, stream valleys and lake shores, this tree quickly fills in reclamation areas.

In order to reproduce and grow effectively, Eastern Cottonwood relies on the natural flooding cycle to ensure they are not out-competed by weeds and other plants.

Black Cottonwood Quick Facts

Eastern Cottonwood Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 3a
Height: 30 m (100 ft)
Height: 23 m (75 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: medium
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium
Maintenance: medium


Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Other Names: balsam cottonwood, california poplar, western balsam poplar