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.