They shelter the creek and reduce evaporative losses. They slow the flow of water and stabilize streambanks. They provide diversity, a break from the valley uplands and the coniferous forests above that. I appreciate the oasis they represent here and on the nearby, relatively tree-less plains. I am filled with amazement at their existence.
Cottonwoods are trees that are easy to take for granted.
They are large and seemingly commonplace along the water courses of our bioregion. They sprout in pastures and can form dense stands in riparian areas. Their wood is of relatively low economic value, so they are often deemed of little worth. However, unlike in the eastern part of our continent, here they are the dominant and sometimes exclusive tree of our riparian forests. Their importance increases by their singularity.