The needles are generally dark green, stiff and its buds are silver colored in winter and early spring. 11 Diana Harms Cottonwood Collection Cottonwood, Poplar and Aspen are all members of the populus family and are represented in this collection. The Eastern Cottonwood is Nebraska s State Tree and is the largest and one of the most popular trees in the arboretum. It s glossy leaves are triangular in shape and turn a golden-yellow in the fall. The tree grows best in rich, moist river bottom soil.
Cottonwoods have a medium to long length of life and a fast rate of growth.
They grow well in the Panhandle. The concept of water-efficient landscaping is called xeriscape. It is popular in the west because it presents a great opportunity to plant shrubs and small tress and still live in balance with our semi-arid environment. The plants on this hillside were selected for their drought hardiness but also for their growth habitat. They are vigorous, fast growing trees and shrubs that produce a dense thicket which provides excellent cover for small wildlife.