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Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa)
Cottonwood is the most common poplar tree where
Jeremiah lives. Poplars are fast growing and relatively short-lived. Some
of them grow to heights of 80 m (200 ft.). The thing that distinguishes the
cottonwood from the other poplars is its cottony seed that the tree produces
in abundance. Where many cottonwoods grow, the seeds often cover the ground
like a light snowfall.
The wood if the cottonwood was an important timber
tree for the early settlers because it is soft and made good cupboards, trim
and woodwork. It is less prized today.
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| Because they are fast growing, many people plant
them in their yards for quick shade. Often, these same people are sorry
because the cottonwood is a messy tree. Something is always falling from
it. In the early spring, it produces a worm-like flower that covers the
ground beneath it. Then the waxy leaf buds fall and they tend to drop
leaves all summer long. |
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