Populus deltoides, also known as Eastern Cottonwood or Necklace Poplar, is one of the largest North American hardwood trees. It can reach up to 60-120 ft in height and has a trunk that measures up to 6 ft in diameter. Its bark is silvery-white and smooth when young, becoming dark gray and deeply fissured as it ages. The leaves are large and deltoid (triangular) in shape, measuring 1.5-4 inches in length and 1.5- 4.3 inches in breadth, and are dark green in summer but turn yellow in the fall. Populus deltoides is dioecious and produces male and female flowers (catkins) on separate trees in early spring. It is commonly found near rivers and needs full sun and bare soil for successful establishment. Despite having a natural lifespan of 70-100 years, it has the potential to live up to 200-400 years in optimal conditions. The Kansas state legislature has designated the cottonwood tree as the official state tree of Kansas, calling it "the pioneer of the prairie."
