Cottonwood

Populus rouleauiana

Native to:
Canada, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Salicaceae
Genus:
Populus
Species:
Populus rouleauiana
USDA Symbol:
PORO4

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Tree
Height:
2000 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
apr,may

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, beavers, small mammals
Fragrant:
Yes
Fall Color:
yellow
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from roots and root crown following fire. Colonizes burned areas rapidly.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers riverbanks and floodplains

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
1–7 days
Notes:
Seeds are short-lived and must be sown fresh on moist soil surface with light exposure. Viability is lost within weeks if seeds dry out.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).

Source: Claude AI