Cottonwood (the genus Populus) is composed of 35 species which contain the aspens and poplars. Species in this group are native to Eurasia/north Africa [25], Central America [2] and North America [8]. All species look alike microscopically. The word populus is the classical Latin name for the poplar tree.

Populus angustifolia balsam, bitter cottonwood, black cottonwood, lanceleaf cottonwood, mountain cottonwood, narrowleaf cottonwood, narrow leaved poplar, Rydberg cottonwood, smoothbark cottonwood, willow cot­tonwood, willowleaf cottonwood

Populus balsamifera balm, balm of Gilead, balm of Gilead poplar, balm cottonwood, balsam, balsam cottonwood, balsam poplar, bam, black balsam poplar, black cottonwood, black poplar, California poplar, Canadian balsam poplar, Canadian poplar, cottonwax, hackmatack, hairy balm of Gilead, heartleaf balsam poplar, northern black cottonwood, On­tario poplar, tacamahac, tacamahac poplar, toughbark poplar, western balsam poplar

Populus deltoides* aspen cottonwood, big cottonwood, Carolina poplar, cotton tree, eastern cottonwood, eastern poplar, fremont cottonwood, great plains cottonwood, Missourian poplar, necklace poplar, northern fremont cottonwood, palmer cottonwood, plains cottonwood, Rio Grande cottonwood, river cottonwood, river poplar, southern cottonwood, Tennessee poplar, Texas cottonwood, valley cotton­wood, Vermont poplar, Virginia poplar, water poplar, western cot­tonwood, whitewood, wislizenus cottonwood, yellow cottonwood

Populus fremontii        meseta cottonwood, valley cottonwood, wislizenus cottonwood

Populus heterophylla bigleaf cottonwood, black cottonwood, cotton gum, cotton tree, cot­tonwood, downy cottonwood, downy poplar, river cottonwood,

swamp cottonwood, swamp poplar Populus trichocarpa* balsam cottonwood, black cottonwood, California poplar, cot­tonwood, western balsam poplar

*commercial species

 

Distribution: Most of North America, with Populus deltoides in the eastern to midwest United States and Populus trichocarpa in the western United States.

The Tree: Cottonwood trees can reach heights of 190 ft (77 m), with a diameter of 6 ft (2.4 m).

General Wood Characteristics: The sapwood of cottonwood is white, while the heart­wood is light brown to brown. The wood is weak in bending and compression, soft and low in shock resistance. It has a sour odor when wet, but no characteristic odor or taste when dry. Tension wood is frequently present, causing a fuzzy surface when cut.

 

aReferences: specific gravity, green and 12%, (98); specific gravity, ovendry, (59).

bReference (59).

 

 

aReference (98) except for hardness (59). bReference (98).

 

aReferences: 0% MC, (98); 6% and 20% MC (90).

 

Kiln drying schedulea,b

 

 

aSchedule for Populus balsamifera (balsam poplar), P. deltoides (eastern cottonwood), P. heterophylla (swamp cottonwood), P. sargentii (plains cottonwood) and P. trichocarpa (black cottonwood).

bReferences (6, 86).

Working Properties: Cottonwood glues well, has low nail-holding ability, does not split easily, and holds paint well.

Durability: Rated as slightly or nonresistant to heartwood decay. Preservation: No information available at this time.

Uses: Lumber, veneer, plywood short bolts, pulpwood, boxes, crates, food containers, inte­rior furniture parts, agricultural implements, wooden ware, cutting boards.

Toxicity: Sawdust may cause dermatitis (40, 64, 105). Additional Reading: 29, 49, 55, 68, 74.

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