But this is a job you don’t want to DIY. Populus angustifolia (narrowleaf cottonwood), in the Great Basin; Populus heterophylla (swamp cottonwood), in the eastern United States; Populus trichocarpa (black cottonwood), in the Pacific Northwest of North America Jill Burke is a longtime Alaska journalist writing from the center of a busy family life. And great cottonwood tree information, by the way, wisegeek -- keep it up! Quick growing, they can reach 100 feet tall with a spread of 75 feet in under twenty years. This now makes 3 of 5 packs for my favorite trees Cottonwood Trees with Spring Willow trees and Redwood TreePack coming being the first two. email. “It’s a common misconception for people to say, ‘here’s the cottonwood fluff and it’s giving me my allergies’ — that’s not the case.”, Mailing Address: P.O. The “fluff” is from cottonwood trees, a type of poplar common throughout Ohio. info@strathmoretimes.com, Pickup Locations for The Strathmore Times, Survey results helping direct business supports. Midday and early afternoon are better times to be outdoors. While cottonwood “fluff” can make it look like Christmas in June, it does not cause allergies, according to a provincial expert on the trees. Young Flowers of Eastern Cottonwood. If we move past the annoyance that the fluff can cause, which really only lasts a couple weeks, there is so much to appreciate about cottonwood trees. They are known to invade rotting logs, stumps and occasionally damp heartwood, according to the U.S. Forest Service. "I think the most common call I get this time of year is, 'How do I kill cottonwoods?' Pollen. Also known as Fremont cottonwood or Rio Grande cottonwood, this tree is commonly found near water bodies of arid regions. Ladybugs, also called ladybird beetles, are another effective strategy. Too much flame and the roots know something's wrong and will grow new shoots. While cottonwood “fluff” can make it look like Christmas in June, it does not cause allergies, according to a provincial expert on the trees. The black cottonwood is indigenous to our area and is the fastest growing native tree in North America. In Alberta, there are three species: balsam poplar, narrow-leaf cottonwood and plains cottonwood. Although the onset of sneezing, wheezing and watery eyes seems to coincide with this "summer snow," it's not the culprit. Fast Growing Tree That Doesn't Live Long - Cottonwoods are the fastest growing native-trees in North America, and can reach 150 feet in height. tweet. Reminds me of when I was a kid in Olsburg KS :) Black Cottonwood (Populus Nigra) This type of cottonwood tree is native to Europe but has spread to various other parts of the world including Asia, Africa and different areas in the US, particularly those in the west. The lesson stuck. A cottonwood in Willamette Mission State Park near Salem, Oregon, holds the national and world records. To curtail an aphid invasion, Brown suggests using a hose to spray water on the underside of the leaves and trunk of the tree. “The fluff is too big to get into your nasal passage and cause irritation.”. WHITE FLUFF FROM COTTONWOOD TREE..... What tree sheds then blows white fluff each Spring? And despite claims to the contrary, the fluff does not cause allergies. Matured Flowers of Eastern Cottonwood. “If there’s no wind, the seeds just release and they fall straight onto the ground – it looks literally like snow underneath the trees,” he said. Cottonwoods get ready to let their cotton fly. Bugs. It's the time of year that the mighty cottonwood (now you know where they got that name) spreads it's seeds through the wind. Download all free or royalty-free photos and vectors. Brown recommends boric acid as a nontoxic control method. I've been spinning cottonwood fiber for years. I've been noticing lately that there are alot of tiny puffs of cotton floating through the air. rose@strathmoretimes.com, Janet Kanters, Editor This may be kind of a silly question, but can you actually use the cottonwood tree cotton or fluff? Alaska's early, warm summer has created a perfect storm for airborne pollen from sources other than cottonwood trees. Due to its large size, weak wood, and penetrating roots, it is best used on large properties away from residential areas. Q. If you are anywhere near a Cottonwood tree (Populus deltoides, a member of the poplar family) you’ll experience a seasonal event in summer when the seed pods of the female trees ripen and explode, causing fluff to fly everywhere. St. Paul. As with other ornamental flowers, fireweed's sticky pollen travels on the legs of honeybees, not through the air, he said. adelle@strathmoretimes.com, Jody Schneider, Production Manager The fastest-growing tree in North America, cottonwood seeds can germinate in a day and grow up to 6 feet tall in the first year. Is the ‘hunker down’ responsible. Her father swore by "Burke's Law No. In Alaska and worldwide, allergy seasons are starting earlier, lasting longer and the pollen cycles of trees, willows and grasses are overlapping more, Demain said. "The time that we start seeing the fluff is when grass peaks," explained Dr. Jeffrey Demain, director of the Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Center of Alaska. Individual trees are quite variable in staple length and fiber quality, suggesting that varieties that are especially good could be selected for and/or bred. ... Q. Some observers say the scattering of the fuzz, ... Tree-pollination season “will wrap up shortly,” Wada said. It's every bit as strong as cotton, and the staple length is fine for spinning a high-twist yarn, plus the nicest trees produce a fiber that has a nice luster to it. I like it a lot as a fiber. In fact, Cisco says the seeds can sprout in just one day after hitting the ground. Beware the fluff: Fire officials warn not to set fire to cottonwood tree seeds. Pollen counts for male cottonwood trees peak about three weeks before female cottonwood trees launch their seed pods. Demain recommends closing windows and staying indoors in the morning and evening when grasses pollinate. Jan 16, 2015 - Cottonwood tree fluff. classifieds@strathmoretimes.com, General Information The views expressed here are the writer's and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. Your Cottonwood Fluff stock images are ready. I can't see the tree, but they do come from that general area. These trees have a widespread foliage that can extend to 5 feet in diameter. Box 2005, Station Main, Strathmore AB T1P 1K1, Mario Prusina, Publisher It is a large tree, growing to a height of 30 to 50 m (98 to 164 ft) and a trunk diameter over 2 m (6.6 ft), which makes it the largest poplar species in the Americas. Description. Tree Damaged By Car - Yesterday, a van rammed into the cottonwood (I think that's what it is) and the protective bark was sloughed off. That downy fluff is only one of the tree’s signatures. COVID-19 cases in Anchorage and Alaska are on the decline. . 6-03-09 mario@strathmoretimes.com, Rose Hamrlik, Sales Manager Jill Burke is a former writer and columnist for Alaska Dispatch News. ~ Wikipedia "The leaves of Populus [the genus of which the black cottonwood tree is a member] tend to have silvery or white backsides, and very long leaf stems, which makes it apparent when the wind is blowing through them." Cottonwood trees reproduce by wind pollination (rather than by insects, such as in apple trees, for example), with flowering happening in the spring, prior to leaf-out. In downtown Anchorage, a longtime family restaurant clings to hope, Police: Suspicious blast wounds 3 in Nashville on Christmas, After blowing up on TikTok, hot chocolate bombs are sparking a cottage industry in Alaska, Beyond poinsettias, here are suggestions for your Christmas plant collection. ... Don’t worry that your allergies are going to flare, it’s just the seasonal mating dance of the cottonwood tree. That, plus a warm, relatively dry summer is the perfect setup for bug paradise. Tree Struck By Lightning - About a month ago, our large 30-year-old Cottonless Cottonwood tree was struck by lightning. They yield shade, beautiful foliage and, in June, a kind of warm, fluffy "snow." The fluff or “cotton”’ that residents now see being released from the trees is an adaptation that helps the seeds to spread via wind, explained Mahoney last week. It is native to eastern North America through the Midwest and Chicago region. “They’ve gone through the pollination and seed development stage,” he said. Cottonwoods are broadleaf tree species in the genus Populus that are members of the willow family. Celtis conferta subsp. Does this cotton actually come from his cotton-wood tree or am I just taking it to literally? Summer nuisances are upon us and are abundant —  inconveniences that can overload your immune system and your patience. “What we’re seeing right now is the peak of the release.”. All rights reserved. ." These fluff balls, actually called Black Cottonwood, are common on wetter sites in the Pacific Northwest — such as along rivers or streams. share. “That’s just the distribution mechanism.”. Cottonwood trees were a welcome sight for those settlers and Native Americans crossing Texas. The warm winter of 2014-2015, coupled with this year's warm winter, has allowed more bugs to survive throughout the year. Each fluff is attached to a tiny seed and in much the same way as a dandelion, the fluff catches the wind to take the seeds far from the parent tree. The fastest-growing tree in North America, cottonwood seeds can germinate in a day and grow up to 6 feet tall in the first year. Cottonwood tree seeds can make quite the mess, so it’s understandable to want them gone. “That changes a bit, maybe plus or minus a week,” said Mahoney. One way to do that is by spraying the tree with a growth regulator that contains ethephon. Typically, cottonwoods release their seeds starting around June 10, though the timing can vary. Brown said he's also seeing a lot of carpenter ants. Also, change your clothes and wash your hands and face as soon as you get in the house. Oct 14, 2013 - Cottonwood tree fluff. Eastern cottonwood is a large, fast-growing tree found growing along streams, rivers, and lowland areas. janet@strathmoretimes.com, Adelle Ellis, Office Manager Their presence indicated water within easy digging distance. The aphids will come off and can't get back up, he said. But if winds are not sufficient, the fluff can accumulate. " he said. NORMAL — Blowing cottonwood tree fluff ignited by a stray cigarette butt sent flames skipping across some yards Thursday in northeast Normal, damaging the corner of one house, the back You've been warned, so don't delay. Cottonwood seed pods explode into a summery fluff. Meaning, don't give up in the face of adversity. Most of these native trees flower and fruit in the spring, according to Dr. Elizabeth Elle, a professor in the Department of Biological Science at Simon Fraser University. Cottonwood fluff from trees blamed for fires around Twin Cities. Release the aphid-eaters into a soaking wet garden at night. Non-sedating antihistamines, nasal rinses, nasal steroids and showering before bed can help lessen symptoms, but if symptoms remain unresolved it's a good idea to see the doctor, Demain said. June 10, 2019 5:28 p.m. “People see the fluff out and they have allergies, but they’re actually reacting to different pollens that are being released by other plants at the same time. Come spring, just about anywhere there is fresh water in Puget Sound country, the sweet scent of cottonwood … "It is the most-hated tree in Alaska. Cottonwoods are broadleaf tree species in the genus Populus that are members of the willow family. Here are 5 facts you may or may not know about this yearly occurrence. I was wondering if these puffs of cotton could be linked to his tree? To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary@alaskadispatch.com. "People are pouring into our office right now with bags of bugs for us to identify," Brown said. Deputy Fire Marshal Tony Nuttman said cottonwood fluff fires occur frequently from the middle of May to mid-June. Western Cottonwood Tree Identification. Lofty fluff. Now, the trees have mature seeds that are being released for dispersal, explained John Mahoney, water management operations manager with the province who has published multiple studies on cottonwood communities in Alberta. galen84basc November 15, 2010 . "Any grass you see is a culprit.". Resilient and prolific, these notorious trees from the poplar family have earned a bad rap largely because of the nuisance caused by cloudy puffs of fiber netting that allow the seeds to kite and parachute for miles. “When people complain of allergies, it’s not the fluff,” he said. He'd pulled over near Hatcher Pass to take the call, and happened to park next to a birch tree with "so much sap falling it looks like it is raining," he said. That "rain," also known as honeydew, is aphid excrement, a byproduct of all the nibbling and eating they're doing. This small stretch of grass is surrounded by concrete sidewalks which controlled the burn. (Jill Burke / Alaska Dispatch News). When the snowy white fluff from cottonwood trees starts to fly through the air, blanket the ground and clog our window screens (and just about everything else), many allergy-sufferers hit system overload. They are considered riparian species, meaning they typically grow along the banks of streams and rivers (although balsam poplars have wider habitat preferences). Check those out by clicking on the blue names You can also check out the project on Sketchfab here: https://skfb.ly/6AX9H Black Cottonwood Leaves "The leaves are 7-20 cm long with a glossy dark green upper side and glaucous light grey-green underside. © 2020 Anchorage Daily News. Surviving allergy season means minimizing exposure and controlling symptoms. In the early summer Cottonwoods produce LOTS of the cottony fluff for which they are named. Cottonwood tree leaves - native to the west - grow along rivers - yellow in the fall | We all want the tattoos | Pinterest | Cottonwood leaf, Kansas state tree and Trees to plant. Tim Nelson. I believe the flowers here are a part of the same shrub as my previous photo in Putnam County, Carmel,NY. Because cottonwood trees are so tall, only a professional can safely reach and cover the tippy top of the tree. Warm, mild weather has also yielded an abundance of bugs. Cottonwood trees in the American West are a nuisance to some and a treasure to others. Flaming young trees with a garden torch just until they wilt does the trick for killing the plant, Brown said. "Keep the pets off the bed or you'll be sleeping with the pollen, too," Demain said. Plants. There were probably 5 lines down ... Q. It is normally fairly short-lived, but some trees may live up to 400 years. Allergy season in the spring/summer of 2016 seems to be worse than usual, but cottonwoods aren’t really to blame. As for managing the "snow," Brown recommends checking air filters on anything in your home, vehicles or garden equipment that suck air. I have an Eastern cottonwood tree my backyard, and I always end up with just gobs of the fluff sitting in my yard every year. And be cautious with pets that spend time outdoors. The ants don't eat wood, but they do excavate it (and sometimes Styrofoam) to make a safe place to nest and rear young. I have actually had legislators talk to me about whether we can zone cottonwoods or restrict their growth," said Steve Brown, a professor and district agriculture agent for the University of Alaska's Cooperative Extension Service for the Mat-Su area. Prolonged, sustained pollen cycles have allowed tree pollen levels to remain moderately high late into June, when they'd normally be tapering off, just as grasses are about to hit their peak, he said. After a fire occurred around Hillside Drive last week, the Pullman Fire Department is cautioning Pullman residents of seasonal cottonwood fluff fires. But hit the sweet spot — wilted and dead but not incinerated — and the roots will continue to send water and nutrients up into the plant, which runs the roots out of energy and kills them, he said. Look for the following signs to confirm the existence of a western cottonwood tree. jody@strathmoretimes.com, Classifieds By Paul Walsh Star Tribune June 9, 2019 — 6:37pm Text size. Fireweed, which starts to bloom around the same time, is often also wrongly accused, Demain said. “Each little bit of fluff has a seed associated with it,” he said. Cottonwood fluff fills the skies By Robert Mittendorf. Instead, people’s allergies are likely caused by other plants that are blooming at the same time the cottonwoods are releasing their seeds. Normally, winds in Alberta are strong, and the seeds are spread far and wide by the wind. Reminds me of when I was a kid in Olsburg KS :) In Alberta, there are three species: balsam poplar, narrow-leaf cottonwood and plains cottonwood. Chances are the filters are clogged. "The biggest news of all is the aphid infestation that has hit the birch and the aspen," Brown said during an interview by phone earlier in the week. Leaves of Eastern Cottonwood. Share your ideas with her at jill@alaskadispatch.com, on Facebook or on Twitter. From edition: July 3 2020 Strathmore Times, By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter. Use a HEPA filter to remove allergens from the air. The eastern cottonwood is a type of poplar (Populus), and the specific epithet in its botanical name deltoides means triangle, related to the triangular leaves.But not all poplars produce “cotton.” Here, you can see the dangly earrings of ripe fruit-bearing catkins on the female tree, with capsules getting ready to burst into fluff-factories. Spray it into nests and on the ground around them, he said. amblyphylla; Hibiscus tiliaceus, a flowering shrub or tree in the mallow family; In the genus Populus, a number of difficult-to-distinguish trees: . 1 — never take no for an answer." My neighbor has a tree behind his barn that he calls a "cotton-wood tree." A good battle plan will allow you to spend more time enjoying summer instead of fighting it.