The tall, billowy silhouette of the Western Cottonwood towers over the tops of most other native trees found growing in the washes around Tucson. This fast –growing, deciduous tree is especially striking when temperatures cool gradually in fall, causing the bright green heart-shaped leaves to take on a golden-yellow glow before dropping from the branches in winter.
Western Cottonwood’s foliage is admired not only for its delightful fall color and the ample shade it casts, but also for the way that individual leaves reflect light as they shimmer in the slightest breeze, creating the illusion of a tree that seems to sparkle in the landscape.
Height: 40 – 50+ feet (varies with available water)
Width: 20 – 40 feet
Bloom color: Yellowish Green (male)
Flowering season: Late Winter
USDA minimum zone: 4
Cold hardiness: -30° F
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