Along the rivers and wetlands of British Columbia, the Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) stands tall, playing a vital role in protecting shorelines, filtering water, and providing wildlife habitat. This fast-growing deciduous tree is one of BC’s largest broadleaf species, thriving in moist, fertile soils where few other trees can compete.

How to Identify Black Cottonwood

  • Leaves: Large, triangular to heart-shaped, dark green on top, pale underneath.
  • Bark: Smooth and gray when young, becoming thick and deeply grooved with age.
  • Size: Can reach over 50 meters (165 feet) in height, making it one of the tallest deciduous trees in North America.

Where Black Cottonwood Grows

  • Riverbanks and floodplains, stabilizing shorelines and reducing erosion.
  • Wetlands and marshes, improving water quality by filtering pollutants.
  • Recently disturbed areas, where it quickly regenerates after fires, floods, or logging.

Why Black Cottonwood is Essential

  • Provides erosion control, protecting riverbanks from washing away.
  • Improves air and water quality, filtering pollutants and producing oxygen.
  • Supports diverse wildlife, offering food and shelter for many species.

Economic and Cultural Uses of Black Cottonwood

  • Pulp and paper production, thanks to its fast growth and softwood fibers.
  • Softwood lumber, used in furniture, crates, and plywood.
  • Traditional medicine, as Indigenous communities used its resin for wound healing.

Wildlife That Relies on Black Cottonwood

  • Beavers use its wood for building dams.
  • Bald eagles and osprey nest in its high branches.
  • Salmon benefit from its shade, which cools river waters.

Fun Facts About Black Cottonwood

  • The fastest-growing tree in BC, sometimes growing over 1.5 meters (5 feet) per year.
  • Its seeds travel on the wind, carried by fluffy white fibers that resemble cotton.
  • Its sticky resin smells like honey, attracting bees in spring.
  • Some Black Cottonwood trees live for over 200 years.