Last updated on December 24th, 2024 at 07:13 am
The Western Cottonwood tree (Poplar Family) goes by many names including the following.
- Rio Grande Cottonwood
- The Fremonti Cottonwood
- Alamo Cottonwood
They are the same tree and will grow up to 60ft. in height and about 30ft. in width. What does the Western Cottonwood Tree look like? See the photo below.
The Western Cottonwood Tree
Care of the Western Cottonwood Tree
Taking care of a Western Cottonwood tree isn’t complicated, but it needs your attention. Start by planting it in well-draining soil where it gets full sun. These trees love water, especially when young, so keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season. Especially during its first 2-3 years after initial planning. Prune during the dormant season to remove damaged or crossing branches, which helps keep the tree healthy.
Fertilizer isn’t usually necessary if the soil is rich, but if growth seems slow, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can help. Watch for pests like aphids and diseases such as canker, treating them promptly with proper products. Are you noticing the tree’s leaves yellowing? That could mean overwatering or poor drainage, so adjust watering habits as needed. Regular maintenance will keep your tree thriving.
The Western Cottonwood likes water and will grow close to riverbanks and places with water nearby. Their root system is extensive so planting one near water pipes or water features is not a promising idea. Most nurseries will have the Cottonless Western Cottonwood.
Where to plant this tree
Plant it in full sun and away from buildings and sidewalks. It can tolerate poor soil but needs plenty of water. You can place it where water tends to drain during a rainstorm. The Southwest does not receive a lot of water. It is important to water your tree often during the early summer months even after the tree becomes established.
Their branches are softwood and could break off easily it the tree is old or is infected with insects or diseases. The key to keeping this tree looking good is to water and fertilize often, especially in areas where there is little rainfall.
The leaves are dark green and will turn a nice gold-yellow during the fall season. It will produce lots of leaves which means there is maintenance during the fall. The leaves can be used for mulching purposes and is a good tree for shade purposes.
The Western Cottonwood Tree Leaves
Problems with the Western Cottonwood
As noted earlier the wood is soft and is susceptible to borers, caterpillars, aphids, and other diseases. Go here to learn how to remove common pests and diseases. It can tolerate temperatures down to -30°.
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9
Learn more about Poplar Tree for Landscaping
Greenhouse Manager, Master Gardener, and Webmaster.
If you have any questions or enjoyed this post, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Right at the top it says cottonwood trees like water. Then nothing else, I’m trying to find water consumption of cottonwood trees. We are in a serious drought, some useful info would be more helpful!
Hello, Dan. Yes, we are in some serious drought times. The Cottonwood tree does require lots of water that is why they thrive in riverbanks and places where they can suck up water nearby. There are other trees that require less water like the Chinese Pistache, Honey Mesquite, and the Palo Verde trees. There are others but these are good trees that will tolerate drought conditions.