Narrowleaf Cottonwood

You encounter this slender cottonwood along mountain streams from British Columbia to Mexico, where its narrow, lanceolate leaves distinguish it from broader-leafed poplars at a glance. The bark, whitish or yellowish-green on young trees, becomes furrowed and darker on mature trunks. This tree is a riparian specialist, typically marking water courses even in arid regions where few others thrive, and its yellow catkins appear early in spring.

Narrowleaf cottonwood is fast-growing, reaching 60 feet in 20 years, but its lifespan is moderate (80-120 years) and it resists frost well in the PNW. Plant it in wet sites along streams or in swales where seasonal flooding is normal, but keep it away from structures; its shallow roots and strong wood make it prone to wind breakage and root damage to pipes. Monitor for leaf rust, tent caterpillars, and poplar borers. This tree is primarily a restoration tool for riparian recovery, not a general landscape plant.