cottonwood trees: trash or treasure?

Wendy · #21 09/30/12, 12:01 AM

We had 5 huge ones in our yard when we first moved here. The best thing we ever had done was getting them cut down & planting some nice maple trees.

fireweed farm · #22 09/30/12, 01:05 AM

Just don't sit under or park under them in spring or you've got a serious problem.
Terrible toilet paper-light firewood. I use it, but probly 3 armloads to an armload of any other decent wood.
Fall colour is often brown.
Yes they collapse and drop limbs in storms too. They are a junk tree, but beautiful nonetheless once large in size.

Marshloft · #23 09/30/12, 02:23 AM

In Kansas,, the majority of these magestic cottonwoods line a creek or river bank.

Calhoon · #24 09/30/12, 02:37 AM

well Jenn , Cottonwoods are beautiful trees when they mature , but they sure can make a mess if they are close to the house ...

They are an indication of good water , and the shade they give is very welcome in the hot summer months ...

they do tend to trash a yard with broken limbs , but it makes good kindling for a wood stove ...

I guess they sort of like to be allowed to grow and be free and wild ..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenn

Finally realised some trees springing up around the neighborhood and in my yard are cottonwoods. I loved them as a kid in SD- rustling and shimmering in sunlight near the slough like piles of gold coins. Read in a brief Google search they make canoes from cottonwood in Jamaica but would believe that might be a different species than these in Alabama- someone in Calif. said cottonwoods are only useful for matchsticks and paper pulp.

I like the tropical looking smooth gold green (at 1-2" diameter) trunks. Mine are all in my mulch piles of old leaves but in the neighborhood they are struggling up along the culvert at roadside getting chopped down to ground level every few years.

Should they stay or should they go?

Jenn · #25 09/30/12, 05:40 AM

Thanks for all the love and hate. They are a few hundred yards from the house. I will keep them, watching the 4' one near the power line/parking area carefully (be a few decades I THINK before the power line is menaced), and watch for the cotton on my HVAC system. I'll keep balm of Gilead in mind, naturelover- just the appearance of the bark made me think this weed must be something special.

Oh, now I think of it there are several more I have been cutting back at my fence line. Probably best keep doing so to preserve my fence.

sisterpine · #26 09/30/12, 08:45 AM

Hello from the desert southwest. My DSIL has a cottonwood that I bought them 25 years ago when they got their house. It is a beautiful tree. They have had problems with the roots in the sewer lines so they redid the sewer lines twice! Apparently shallow roots become baby trees- I did not know this. DSIL pots these baby trees and sells them at the swap meet along with cuttings from my fig tree and makes decent money. Small cottonwood trees around here sell for about 28.00 at home depot. They are great desert trees. I don't have any in my hard as I only have fruit trees. Tucson outlawed several species of fruit trees due to allergens years ago and cotton woods became more popular. I am still trying to get my hands on the prohibited black mulberry tree female...so far no luck. I don't like it when the government outlaws trees!

poppy · #27 09/30/12, 09:40 AM

Hate the things. The cotton will blow a long ways and is quick to plug the fins on your air conditioner compressor. The dang stuff floats and makes it impossible to fish when the cotton is falling. If you have one around, keep your eyes out for small ones or you'll be overrun with them.

Countrybumpkin · #28 09/30/12, 09:46 AM

I agree-cottonwoods seem like lightening magnets! However, thet grow fast, andare good shade. Just cut and split a large cottonwood tree-not great wood to burn-soft wood, but enjoy it if all you want is a quick, hot fire.

pamda · #29 09/30/12, 10:19 AM

They make great shade! I have 5 huge ones along my driveway. I love them, but the cotton in the spring, the sap drops and runners growing everywhere keep me wondering why we have them..oh ya the shade

Wayne02 · #30 09/30/12, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwubben

You can not expose it to the weather or it will rot.

Yes, and that's exactly the problem.

ldc · #31 09/30/12, 02:13 PM

When I lived in NE Iowa, I loved these trees in creek beds. Once you see one covered with Monarch butterflies on a stopover in their migration, you never forget their magic!

fireweed farm · #32 10/03/12, 12:07 AM

Great bee tree, around here most of the propolis is from the sticky bud tips of spring.

ronbre · #33 10/03/12, 09:49 AM

i find this so funny as not so long ago several people insisted the large tree on our property was a cottonwood, and i read here about cottonwoods and my tree is NOTHING like what is being described in this thread..my tree is not messy and the wood is very heavy..even when it is aged..so obviously i was right..my tree is a quaking aspen not a cottonwood..

I feel quite justified..tee hee

wwubben · #34 10/03/12, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne02

Yes, and that's exactly the problem.

They work good for framing and then covered with some other wood or material.They may not be worth a hoot in a damp climate.

springvalley · #35 10/03/12, 12:44 PM

As long as you keep the wood dry, they are very good for lumber. > Thanks Marc

bugstabber · #36 10/03/12, 09:40 PM

There were a lot of them in the county I grew up in in Minnesota. I like them and their wind noise. They are here in SD too, just not as thick. The Lone Tree - South Dakota Historical Markers on Waymarking.com