Cottonwood, Fremont
Populus fremontii
Salicaceae - Willow
Description
Leaves: Alternate; simple; deltoid to kidney-shaped; 3" to 6" long, 4" to 5" wide; deciduous; rounded teeth on margin; pointed, short apex; glabrous; turn bright gold in fall; petiole 1-1/2" to 3" long, flattened laterally, causing leaf to flutter in the wind.
Twigs/buds: Twigs yellow-brown and angular. Terminal buds 3/4" long, pointed, shiny-brown, resinous, fragrant when crushed.
Flowers/fruit: Dioecious. Fruit an oval capsule, 1/4" long, several together on a slender stalk like a string of beads; seeds tufted, small, light brown.
Bark: Light green, smooth on young trunks; on older trunks thick, gray, deeply furrowed with flat-topped ridges.
Wood: Fairly unimportant. See eastern cottonwood for description.
General: Native from about the Wasatch Front south including lower-elevation river drainages (Green and Colorado Rivers) in southern Utah and throughout the Southwest. Usually found naturally along streams.
Landscape Use: Rarely used and cultivars are not available, but it is a good, large cottonwood that would be worth having in the right setting. Still, though, like all cottonwoods and poplars is weak-wooded and does not belong near lots of people or valuable property. Zones 5-9.
Comments & Limitations: Weak wood and/or branch structure. Prefers abundant water.
Characteristics
General
Family | Salicaceae - Willow |
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Cultivar Availability | No |
Hardiness Zone | 5-9 |
Type | Broadleaf |
Utah Native | Yes |
Growth
Growth Rate | High |
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Mature Height | High |
Longevity | High |
Is Good Under Power Lines | No |
Crown Shapes | Oval |
Ornamental
Bark | No |
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Fall Color | Yes |
Flowers | No |
Foliage | Yes |
Fruit | No |
Tolerance
Shade | Low |
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Salt | High |
Drought | Low |
Poor Drainage | High |
Alkalinity | High |
Transplanting | High |