365 Urban Species. #157: Eastern Cottonwood

[urbpan]

Location: Behind the trolley tracks between Fenway and Longwood stations.

Urban species #157: Eastern cottonwood Populus deltoides

If it appears to be snowing on a June day in the city, credit (or blame) the cottonwood tree. The females of these trees produce copious amounts of seeds attached to bunches of white fluff, which are a delight or a nuisance, depending on your viewpoint. This native North American tree used to be a popular choice for urban landscapers because of its stature, ease of transplanting (a cut branch stuck in the mud will sprout a whole tree) and rapid growth. In recent years its popularity has plummeted, as the cottony seeds have clogged air conditioners and ventilation systems, as well as coating cars and other precious objects kept outdoors. It also has a powerful need for water, and its roots will split pipes to get to it. Additionally, cottonwood boughs are brittle, and often break off in windstorms (particularly if they have been invaded with a fungus such as red tree brain). Other species of cottonwood occur in the western and plains states, and hybrids of cottonwoods and other Populus species have been developed, in the hopes of countering the drawbacks of this otherwise impressive tree.



One of two 80 foot sisters behind the green line trolley tracks.


The bmx track is coated with white this week.




The grass of the Riverway, across the way from the trees, is thoroughly fluffed.

Comments

[miz-geek.livejournal.com]

I like cottonwoods. They remind me of my childhood - I remember a few huge ones in my neighborhood that would fluff up the yards every year. I've been tempted all week to bring huge handfuls (like cottonmanifesto is holding) into my office and blow them on people. For some reason it's all over Windsor, but I haven't seen any around our place.

[by-steph.livejournal.com]

The grass picture is great. It looks like fog!

[agelena.livejournal.com]

I love cottonwood trees. When the wind blows softly, those big leaves slap together and sound like very soft applause.

[punkydolly.livejournal.com]

That river of cottonwood seeds is beautiful!

[ex-wellread.livejournal.com]

One day this year it looked like a snowstorm due to these trees. I thought it was kind of funny.

[hissilliness.livejournal.com]

Biking through a blizzard of that stuff yesterday (Ptuh! Ptuh! Ptuh!), I found myself wondering if you'd covered cottonwoods yet. I'm amused that my timing was so good.

Whole Earth magazine had a piece a few years back about clashes out west between environmentalists who want to get rid of cottonwoods as an invasive and those who grew up with them and consider them an integral part of the western landscape.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Human memory and ideas about wildlife is an interesting subject. I wonder if people are going to get upset if Boston makes an effort to get rid of phragmites reeds in the fenway. They've been there probably less than a hundred years, but any time longer than a human lifetime may as well be forever.

Feral horses "belong" in the west, and what about tumbleweed?--it's only been out there for 150 years.

[ankhanu.livejournal.com]

Wow, that is impressive. We don't have these around here; I've never seen exactly why they got their name; those pictures are very informative :)

[cowpewter.livejournal.com]

Ooh, we had those lining the edge of the backyard when I was growing up. I loved the cotton fluff.

sterilization

[(Anonymous)]

Is there anything that will sterilize these tree snd not kill them ?