Salicaceae
Mountain cottonwood
Populus angustifolia
Also known as Western balsam poplar, Balsam cottonwood, Black cottonwood, Populus × canadensis var. angustifolia
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Trees & Shrubs · Cottonwood · Native Tree · Riparian · Fast Growing · Deciduous · Wildlife Habitat · Western Us · Streamside · Large Tree · Salicaceae
Mountain cottonwood is a fast-growing native tree best suited for large landscapes, streambanks, or naturalized areas in the western United States. It prefers consistently moist soil and full sun, making it ideal near water features or in low-lying areas that collect rain. Be aware of its vigorous root system and plant well away from pipes, foundations, and pavement.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply to saturate the root zone; keep soil consistently moist, especially in summer heat · Every 5-7 days during dry spells; naturally prefers moist sites
- Maintenance
- Moderate
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6–7.5
- Temperature
- -25°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 4b-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 20 ft – 40 ft
- Spread
- 20 ft
- Spacing
- 480 in apart
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Mixed
- Foliage
- Green · Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Alberta, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wyoming
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Birds
Sources: trefle, usda
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