Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)

How much light does an Eastern Cottonwood need?

Full sun suits eastern cottonwood best outdoors, with six or more hours of direct light a day. It also tolerates part shade and even full shade. This tree has a rapid growth rate and is considered the fastest-growing native tree in North America. At maturity it reaches 75 to 100 ft (22.9-30.5 m) tall.

• Light: Full sun, part shade and full shade (full sun preferred)^1,2

How often to water an Eastern Cottonwood

Soil moisture tolerance for this tree ranges from dry to wet. It grows in soils that stay dry as well as those that stay wet. Sources list the species as suited to dry, moist, and wet sites. It also tolerates a wide range of soil pH, from 4.5 to 8.0.

• Water: Dry to wet^2,3

Best soil for an Eastern Cottonwood

Eastern cottonwood accepts soil anywhere from fairly acidic to slightly alkaline, a pH of 4.5 up to 8.0. That is a wide range for a single species to tolerate. The tree also tolerates soils that stay consistently wet as well as those that stay dry. It grows across USDA hardiness zones 3a to 9b outdoors.

• Soil drainage: Well drained, moist, occasionally dry and occasionally wet⁴
• Soil pH: pH 4.5–8¹

Hardiness and temperature

Eastern cottonwood grows outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 3a to 9b. That range spans from cold northern climates to warm southern ones. The species is native across a wide swath of North America, including much of the United States and parts of Canada and Mexico. It is classified as a tree.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–9b¹

How to plant an Eastern Cottonwood

Plant eastern cottonwood in full sun, the preferred exposure, though it also tolerates part shade and full shade. At maturity, this tree reaches a spread of 50 to 75 ft (15.2-22.9 m). It also tolerates soils that stay wet as well as those that stay dry, and a pH from 4.5 to 8.0. Outdoors, it grows across USDA hardiness zones 3a to 9b. Male catkins have red stamens, and female catkins have yellow stigmas with a round green ovary.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–9b¹

Winter care

The species ranges natively from southern Canada down through much of the United States into parts of Mexico. Within the contiguous United States, it is classified as native. Outdoor winter survival spans USDA hardiness zones 3a to 9b. Zone 3a covers some of the coldest regions where the species is grown.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–9b¹

How to propagate an Eastern Cottonwood

Growers propagate eastern cottonwood from seed or from stem cuttings. Typical cuttings used in the northern United States and Canada run 8 to 12 in (20-30 cm) long. It also occurs naturally across much of the United States and into Canada and Mexico. It grows outdoors across USDA hardiness zones 3a to 9b.

• Propagation: Seed and stem cuttings^1,5

Common problems

Eastern cottonwood can have insect problems including the cottonwood leaf beetle, borers, aphids, caterpillars, and scales. It is also susceptible to several diseases, including dieback, canker, leaf spots, rust, and powdery mildew. One source notes that canker is a serious problem among the many it can face.

• Common pests: cottonwood leaf beetle, borers, aphids, caterpillars and scales¹
• Common diseases: dieback, canker, leaf spots, rust and powdery mildew^1,6

Questions and answers

Does eastern cottonwood need full sun?

Eastern cottonwood grows best in full sun, but it also tolerates part shade and full shade outdoors. It is considered the fastest-growing native tree in North America.

How wet or dry can the soil be for eastern cottonwood?

Eastern cottonwood tolerates soil moisture from dry to wet, and sources list it as suited to dry, moist, and wet sites. It also tolerates a wide range of soil pH, from 4.5 to 8.0.

What pests and diseases affect eastern cottonwood?

This tree can face insect problems such as the cottonwood leaf beetle, borers, aphids, caterpillars, and scales. It is also susceptible to dieback, canker, leaf spots, rust, and powdery mildew.