How to Identify Poplar Trees
Every state in the United States, with the exception of Hawaii, has some type of poplar tree species within its borders. This tree, also known as the cottonwood, has leaves that grow on long stems. The cottonwood takes its name from its seeds, which emerge from the fruit attached to a minute tuft of what seems like cottony hair. To identify a poplar tree, there are certain features to look for. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
-
-
1
Purchase a field guide to the trees of your region to find out which poplars exist where you live. For example, the balsam poplar grows in northern states and in the Rocky Mountains, while the Palmer cottonwood grows only in portions of Texas.
-
2
Seek a poplar tree along riverbanks and the edges of streams. These trees prefer moist soil in most of the country, although they have the ability to do well in drier climates.
-
-
3
When in the woods, listen for the fluttering leaves of a poplar. The shape of the leaves and length of the stem combine to cause poplar leaves to stir in even a mild breeze. The stems can exceed 3 inches in length, and the large leaves have a triangular shape in most species. Look around to see which trees' leaves are moving when the wind blows just a little; this is one of the best ways to identify a poplar.
-
4
Note the size of a poplar tree. The eastern cottonwood is one of the larger poplars, growing between 80 and 100 feet tall and possessing a spreading crown that can be 60 feet across. The black cottonwood of the Pacific Northwest is the tallest of the American poplars, with some exceeding 120 feet.
-
5
Look for the seeds of the poplar tree hanging in strands that resemble cotton. Search for the poplar in late spring and into early summer, when the fruit capsules burst open to reveal the cottonlike tufts. These seeds will break away from the capsule as the wind blows, scattering everywhere for as long as three weeks after the pods open.
-
6
Notice that the bark of a larger and mature poplar is very thick and possesses deep ridges and furrows. The color can vary from type to type; the eastern cottonwood has a brown-gray color to its bark, for instance, while the black cottonwood's bark is dark gray to light black.
-
1
