The Cottonwood

The Cottonwood was adopted as the state tree in 1937. Grows 40 to 80 feet in height. It has a broad open crown of widely spreading branches. Cottonwoods grow only in wet soil and are found along lakes, riverbanks and irrigation ditches throughout the southwest. The cottonwoods are exceptionally tolerant of flooding, erosion and flood deposits filling around the trunk.Populus deltoides is one of the largest North American hardwood trees, although the wood is rather soft.

Cottonwood bark is often a favorite medium for artisans. The bark, which is usually harvested in the fall after a tree's death, is generally very soft and easy to carve

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