Populus deltoides

Overall Great Tree Hunt Winner

Owner: David & Darlene Vandepoele
Nominator: David & Darlene Vandepoele
Height: 40 m (131.2 ft)
Diameter: 218.95 cm (86.2 in)
Circumference: 687.5 cm (270.6 in)

Description

The Eastern Cottonwood is one of the largest eastern hardwood species. Though it is short-lived, it is one of the fastest growing commercial forest species in North America. It grows best on moist well-drained sandy soils and can be found from southern Ontario and Quebec west to North Dakota and south to Texas in the United States. Associated forest cover often includes American Elm, Red Maple, Bur Oak, Hackberry, Black Ash and Green Ash. Cottonwood is very intolerant of shade. As it is a fast-growing species, it is often planted to give quick shade near homes or utilized as a soil stabilizer along stream or ditch banks. There has been considerable interest in using this species for energy biomass because of its high yield potential and coppicing ability. (Source: Silvics of North America )

Eastern Cottonwood (Source: Trees of Texas )