The Urban Pantheist

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.

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