Description
At maturity, Cottonwood is a large tree, one of the largest in its habitat. It has a broad crown that can reach upwards of 80-90 feet, though usually it is 50-75 feet tall; a 2-4 foot thick trunk is common. The trunk bark is grayish-brown and deeply furrowed. The younger limbs have a thin, grayish-white outer bark coating. The sticky-resinous leaf buds form into leathery and thick leaves; they are deltoid and taper to a terminal point.
Like all other Willow family plants, Cottonwood is dioecious. Each tree is either male or female. The flowers of both sexes form in catkins; the “cotton” of Cottonwood is from the fibrous tufts that surround the mature fruits. In the spring the cottony-seed containing fuzz is carried easily by the wind. Cottonwoods are very fast-growing and in only several decades, are able to reach monstrous proportions. This tree reaches the upper limit of its lifespan at about 100 years.
Cottonwoods are not known for their strength; the light and brittle wood makes for relatively weak branches. In strong winds these trees are notorious for dropping large branches, sometimes at the great inconvenience of campers sheltering under them. Similarly to Aspen, another Populus, in the breeze the leaf patter is disarming and brings to mind times that are serene and peaceful.
Distribution
Cottonwood can be found along streamsides and washes where there is reliable underground water. From 6,500 feet and below the tree is found throughout the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts and generally from Trans-Pecos Texas, the southern half of New Mexico, through to Arizona, central Nevada, southwestern Utah, and central-southern California.
Medicinal Uses
Although phenolic glycoside content differs slightly from Aspen (Populus tremuloides) and Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera), Cottonwood’s uses are very similar. The bark tea is a reliable, broadly acting antiinflammatory agent. Internally use it in sedating the pain of rheumatic conditions. Whether the pain is from an acute sport’s injury or long-standing arthritis Cottonwood’s cyclooxygenase inhibition will prove relieving. If feverish, the plant lowers body temperature without potentially elevating it first, unlike Elder or many Mint family plants. The bark tea taken before meals is a useful gastric stimulant; its tonic activity is mainly imparted through its bitterness.
Like many Willow family plants, Cottonwood is a urinary tract medicine. The bark tea is mildly diuretic and is indicated in chronic disturbances of the area. Use in long standing kidney inflammation and prostate hypertrophy. Externally the poultice, liniment, salve, or oil made with the leaves and/or leaf buds have use in curbing headache pain, or the inflammation and swelling from contusions, sprains, arthritic joints, and the like. The salve or oil is soothing to burns and scrapes; it will also retard infection due to its antimicrobial activity.
Collection
In the spring, when new leaf buds are starting to develop find a secondary branch with light, non-fissured, smooth bark. With a saw cut the branch from the larger one it is connected to, or from the trunk. Clip all of the small branchlets less than a finger-width from the collected branch and discard. With a knife, peel off the bark starting from the cut end. Once started the bark strips easily. Dry the bark in the open, out of direct sunlight.
Preparations and Dosage
Bark decoction: 4 ounces 3 times daily, externally as needed
External applications of leaf/leaf bud: as needed
Cautions
Use with prudence if taking anti-coagulant pharmaceutics. The chance of Cottonwood triggering reye’s syndrome in feverish children is remote, but it is best to err on the side of caution and not use Cottonwood internally is these situations.