Cottonwood

The cottonwood is a large tree (100') with a massive trunk that is often forked into stout branches. The crown broad and open with spreading and slightly drooping branches. The leaves are triangular (3-7" long, 3-5" wide) with curved coarse teeth. The leaves are shiny and green while the Fall color is yellow. The young bark is yellowish green and smooth becoming light gray, thick, rough, and deeply furrowed with age. The fruit of the cottonwood tree gives it its common name - it produces copious amount of cottony seeds. The cottonwood is one of the largest of the eastern hardwoods and has been used for lumber.