Rapid growth rate, widely adaptable. 3a Cottonwood is a rapid growing tree and becomes very large with age.
Sexes are separate.
Male catkins show colorful red stamens in the spring. The small, light seeds are attached to a white cottony substance which aids in wind dispersal of the seeds. Female trees produce tremendous amounts of the seed which can literally make the ground white. Tree form is upright spreading with an oval to rounded crown. Fall color is yellow.