Diagnostic Characters: The thick, heart-shaped or triangular leaves of Black Cottonwood grow from 2 to 6 inches (5-15m) long, sometimes larger. If ppl arent eating it commonly rt now there is usually good reason behind it. STRAUSS, and P.R. Rabbits and hares eat the bark. This makes it a fabulous heal-all type of remedy for topical use on a variety of conditions like wounds, rashes and bug bites. 2015. The Native medicinal uses parallel European uses of black poplar (Populus nigra), and are very likely based on the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of tannins, resins, essential oils, . Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology 15:175-181. In Adhesives Cottonwood bonds easily with adhesives of a wide range of properties and under a wide range of gluing conditions. Hello and welcome to the Herbs with Rosalee Podcast, a show exploring It prefers moist soil. Drink a tea of the bitter twigs for added effect. Seed may remain viable for up to 1 year when dried and stored at cold temperatures. Associated Vegetation Several species of willow are the major associates of black cottonwood on recent alluvium along most major rivers in the Northwest. 2015. Without disturbance, cottonwood is replaced by other species on upland sites. Add the ground buds and simmer for 4 hours on very low heat, stirring occasionally. Id love to hear about it in the comments. Mention cottonwood benefits to a room of herbalists and I bet youll find more than a few people swooning. Black cottonwood teaches us to radiate a quiet dignity and to receive and transform chaotic energies. Common shrubs include red osier dogwood, vine maple, hazel, salmonberry, elderberry, thimbleberry, honeysuckle, spirea, and snowberry. In this article I . I The species name for cottonwood, Populus derives from Latin, which means people. Thats really interesting stuff. Cottonwood trees love to grow where there is water, but they suck up lots of water making them a nuisance on irrigation ditches. Thank you for your years of sharing your love of herbs and how to use them. It. 1. Alder bark contains salicin, the same anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing compound in willow bark. You forgot to mention that natives chewed on cotton-tree bark, in order to get vitamin C. I really like pfaf, but I wish that they would include plants mycorrhizal associations in the database. For example, a 2022 study showed that Populus nigra had a lot of promising benefits against a breast cancer cell line including showing antiangiogenic potential and immunomodulatory effects.8. Aspen and Poplar trees are also in that genus. from injuries like bruises. another reason I like to include it One year, I was cleaning out The wood was used to make friction fire sets. Cottonwoods paintability rating falls in the middle range when compared to other hardwoods. "Allergenic Pollen in the Atmosphere of Kayseri, Turkey." Kadocsa, E, I Bittera, and M Juhsz. How to IdentifyFrom late winter to early spring, resinous buds swell and fill the air with their sweet fragrance. Black Cottonwood is also a favorite nesting or perching tree for many bird species (Bald Eagle, owls, ospreys, hawks, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, etc.). Black cottonwood also has been planted as . It reaches from the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains. Okay, grab your cup of tea and lets dive in. One of the uses of this wood is crates. Growth: Black Cottonwood grows very fast, several feet each year. Cultivation of hybrid poplars (Populus trichocarpa x. P. deltoides) can produce very high yields of fiber or fuel in 2-to-8-year rotations. While some of these studies confirm traditional uses of cottonwood such as being antimicrobial, they also have shown innovative ways to work with cottonwood for soil remediation to get rid of warts and to decrease aging of the skin. This is often accomplished with repeated mechanical cultivation and applications of herbicide. learned two things from this experience. Catkins appear before the leaves in the spring. How many leaves equal good, and how many is bad? The rays are very fine and scarcely visible with a hand lens. resins to protect the tender new leaves and flowers that will soon be and bug bites. Grind them with a coffee grinder or other device to the consistency of corn meal. Medicinal uses. Cottonwoods have a high tendency to warp during drying because of tension wood and wet pockets. Populus trichocarpa, the black cottonwood, [1] western balsam-poplar [2] or California poplar, is a deciduous broadleaf tree species native to western North America. the herbs, excess sipping can lead to undesirable side effects.2. 1400 Independence Ave., SW I admittedly feel a little weird whenever I share information about the anti-aging ability of plants. The Balsam Poplar is a pioneer tree species, growing up to 6 feet (2 m) in a single season. Raptors such as osprey frequently nest in cottonwood. Some upland sites with deep, moist, and fertile soils are also productive for black cottonwood. trichocarpa, black cottonwood It cannot grow in the shade. cloves in a fifth of brandy. They inhabit riparian areas, especially along streams. I love my newsletters, but you dont have to take my word for it. Probably not. Up to 2 cups olive oil (or carrier oil of your choice). Those living near cottonwood groves will also know this scent, as it permeates the air for a few glorious days in early spring when the leaves burst out of their buds. They then tested an extract, in vitro, to specifically investigate skin aging markers. can be sipped on for poor appetite, indigestion and feverishness, and Then rub your hand together well and repeat. Cottonwood trees help to clean the soils they live in. Names: Black Cottonwood is also known as Balsam Poplar. The leaf blades are oval to heart-shaped, with a point on the end; the petioles are 1-2 in. Distribution: Black Cottonwood is found from coastal Alaska to the mountains of California, with some growing as far south as northwest Mexico. You want them to be thick with resin but still tightly closed and firm. The resin is used in medicine and perfume. A while ago, I did an informal poll in the American Herbalists and the resin from direct application on cuts and wounds. Populus balsamifera ssp. old-fashioned bitters recipe. McLENNAN, D.S. Feel the vigor of the nascent leaves as they prepare to unfurl to begin receiving the light of the sun. More on that in just a bit. 9 (2011): doi:10.1021/jf104791t. constituents that can directly relieve pain, and also, modulate Herbaceous associates include western swordfern, ladyfern, horsetail, stinging nettle, hedge nettle, false Solomon's-seal, Canada violet buttercup, bittercress, angelica, enchanters-nightshade, golden-saxifrage, and bedstraw. Mechanized harvesting is quite suitable for typical plantations on agricultural lands (fiber farms). Today Black Cottonwood is used for the interior layers of plywood and for paper products, especially high-grade book and magazine paper. Balsam is a term for various plant saps with a pleasing odor. Review of The Great Work: Our Way into the Future, Ecosystemic Responses and our Relationships with Transformation: A New Year Blessing, Wildcrafting in a Warming World: Towards Regenerative Practices for Life in the Anthropocene. Cottonwood bud Sure, someone in the room may be thinking of its potent antimicrobial properties or the way it can magically relieve muscle pain. The leaf shape of cottonwood trees will set them apart from tuliptrees. I would encourage more people to experiment with eating cottonwood buds and leaves in different ways. Open-grown trees develop deep crowns with large branches, often on single, massive stems. They used the gum of the burls on cuts and wounds. while a few people said that they also use the bark and the leaves. I like your description of the taste. Zhuo, Yi, Jian-Bo Lin, Yin-He Yin, and Fan-Cai Lai. Make an excellent, old-fashioned bitters by steeping an ounce of the It is still used in some modern natural health ointments. Others may order fresh or dried herbs from herbal farmers or online apothecaries like Mountain Rose Herbs. Conservation: Black cottonwood is a very fast-growing and potentially large tree, easy to establish, and useful for shade and ornament. This book is perfect for you if you want to learn more about the plants growing near you. But a few may be lethal if consumed in sufficient quantitiesand, The days grow shorter, and the weather chillier. The Black cottonwood trees are situated near Fernie and were discovered in 2003. As with anything, its best to start using a new botanical medicine slowly and then discontinue use if adverse effects occur. Im hoping someone comments with a way to make the whole experience taste a little better. The plant is not self-fertile. In our region, Black Cottonwood is very common. Not sure ingesting it but been using as a tincture in carrier oil much like ur used to seeing dor essential oils. Most of the remaining volume is evenly distributed between the other regions in Washington and the Northwest subregion of Oregon. Sign up for free today. How are rising temperatures, extended periods of drought, erratic seasonal transitions, and other factors of the Earth's changing climate impacting wild plant communities and the ecosystems in which they/we live? Insects and Diseases Many insects feed on black cottonwood, but none have caused serious problems as yet. a box of old salves when I found the very first cottonwood salve Id What. CHASTAGNER. Green 4/4 lumber can be dried in 8 to 12 days, and air-dried material can be dried in 4 to 8 days. Its February here in Washington state, which is the perfect time to harvest cottonwood buds for medicine, especially to infuse those resinous buds into oil. long and 0.4 to 1.2 in. Can Healing Your Sexual Abuse Help Save the World? dried cottonwood bark, one-fourth licorice root, and a teaspoon of Recent Advances Regarding the Phytochemical and Therapeutic Uses of Populus Nigra L. Buds.Plants9, no. causes significant problems with clones from dry areas that are planted in western Washington. Stand Management Diameter growth of black cottonwood is very responsive to increased growing space. Thomas Berrys final book is even more relevant today than when it was published at the turn of the century. Guild Facebook Group, asking which part of the cottonwood tree people USDA Forest Service, Washington D.C. Agriculture Handbook 654. 1993. "Smoke From Leaves of Populus Euphratica Olivier Vs. Influence of nitrogen on growth and productivity of short-rotation Populus trichocarpa X Populus deltoides hybrids. With this episode youll also receive FREE access to a downloadable recipe card you can refer to again and again for how to make cottonwood bud oil of your own. In the past couple of years, several different species of Populus have had some interesting in vitro tests in regards to lung cancer.9,10,11 Its worth mentioning that we cant assume that in vitro studies will have the same effects in living humans, but this initial type of study may pave the way for more research in this area, possibly even human clinical trials. Ask the tree for permission, make offerings, and start gathering the resinous buds. I love cultivating a community of kindhearted, plant-loving folks. My point is, if you forage for wild edibles, and something tastes bad, DONT EAT IT. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. They used the gum of the burls on cuts and wounds. Tree Planters Notes 43(3):81-86. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 16:491-496. and rheumatism. internal medicine. Remove buds to make a fresh tincture, or place the bud-covered twigs in bags to dry for making oils or dry bud tinctures. Black Cottonwood The Willow Family Salicaceae, Populus balsamifera L. ssp. Fungal decay is common in wood after weather damage to tops, producing good conditions for cavity-nesting birds. *All photographs on this site were taken by Dana, Edmund or Sky Bressette unless otherwise noted. I should certainly note that these effects are better documented and empirically experienced in other members of the Willow family Salicaceae, like Black Poplar (Populus balsamifera), which also goes by the name of Black Cottonwood. Young shoots were used to make sweat lodges. The same tea is used externally to help slowly heal deep wounds. Tuliptrees have very distinctive leaves. Leaving the slow-to-dry buds on the twigs increases airflow to speed the drying process. Although all poplars will be medicinal, it's the stately cottonwood species that contain the richest medicinal resin for our uses. Numerous plants have been the subject of recent research in the pharmacological, cosmetic, and agro-alimentary domains due to their chemical composition and multiple therapeutic capabilities.. They taste terrible. trichocarpa is a large cottonwood tree of the western United States. The numerous fluffy seeds of Black Cottonwood resemble snowfall in summer. Average service life of untreated cottonwood posts in ground contact is 4 to 5 years. The black cottonwood tree is the largest deciduous tree in the Northwest. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 19:372-377. Included with each herbal chapter is safety information, sustainable harvest instructions and lots of fun and easy recipes like this one. Of the people responding, all of them use the buds, The trees are fast-growing taking 30-75 years to reach maturity. During spring and summer, the light green leaves of the tall trees often indicate a source of water in the deserts the Great Basin or Modoc Plateau. Put all these identification features together and you should be able to confidently identify cottonwood trees. 4 (2008): doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2008.03571.x. Im I love offering up practical knowledge to help Indeed, Cottonwood is a sign of relieving water nearby, water to come, or a way of moving water out of the body. The bud salve or butter reduces swelling, prevents infection, and promotes rapid skin cell regeneration. If you enjoyed this video on cottonwood benefits and you value trusted herbal information, then I hope youll stick around! Allow yourself to be drawn to one of the nearby trees. Cotton leaves are used in many commercial tea products, so you can just buy it. Finishing Cottonwood is generally painted rather than clear-coated or stained in applications that require finishes. Hibbs. Using a clean instrument, stir well and end by pushing the buds under the oil. HANLEY, and R.W. For sawlog or veneer production, moderate crowding is necessary to maintain stem form, reduce branching and forking, and induce self-pruning. Effect of partial defoliation on growth and carbon exchange of two clones of young Populus trichocarpa Torr. remedy for topical use on a variety of conditions like wounds, rashes 1 (2012): doi:10.1080/15226514.2011.560213. Take the tincture in hot water to clear the lungs of hard stuck mucus that causes rattling unproductive coughs, to stimulate circulation to promote sweating and bring blood and warmth to the surface of the skin and extremities, and to help resolve nonviral lung infections. cottonwood salve smelled as divine as the day I made it. oil can be massaged into sore muscles and joints to relieve many aches Stems and branches may bend or break under heavy snow or ice. Cottonwood leaves are triangular with course teeth along the margins. Longer rotations require thinning to maintain diameter growth. Bending strength is classed as low, while in stiffness and toughness, black cottonwood is rated as intermediate. Mixed-species Stands Black cottonwood must maintain a dominant crown position to survive and grow. Washington DC 20250-1103, https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/populus_balsamifera.shtml, Pollinator-Friendly Best Management Practices, Native Plant Material Accomplishment Reports, Fading Gold: The Decline of Aspen in the West, Wildflowers, Part of the Pagentry of Fall Colors, Tall Forb Community of the Intermountain West, Strategic Planning, Budget And Accountability, Recreation, Heritage And Volunteer Resources. Economic uses of the black cottonwood include course lumber and the manufacture of wood products such as paper. Best results in planing were obtained with a hook angle of 15. Be sure to use whatever you do harvest, fully. How to work with cottonwood bud oil medicinally, How I discovered that cottonwood is an amazing preservative, The super-cool way researchers studied Poplar trees as a potential treatment for warts and the intriguing results, What you need to know to ethically harvest cottonwood, Please click here to download your recipe card. Our native poplar is black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), though there are many other species in the Populus genus that are planted in parks and neighborhood green patches. Do you have experience with cottonwood? Populus is the Latin name for poplar; balsamifera (balsam-bearing) refers to the resinous substance in the buds of the tree, thought to resemble balsam. In the Pacific Northwest, black cottonwood is most abundant in the Puget Sound basin and in the Columbia and Willamette river basins. Verein fuer Forstliche Standortskunde und Forstpflanzenzuchtung 24:68. Examine the buds. Black cottonwoods. 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Wood used for various plant saps with a coffee grinder or other device to the Rocky Mountains commercial... Vigor of the burls on cuts and wounds sipped on for poor,... Range when compared to other hardwoods dried in 8 to 12 days, and induce self-pruning natural health.! Spring, resinous buds swell and fill the air with their sweet.. Thomas Berrys final book is even more relevant today than when it was published the! For sawlog or veneer production, moderate crowding is necessary to maintain stem form, branching... Identify cottonwood trees remaining volume is evenly distributed between the other regions in and... First cottonwood salve smelled as divine as the day I made it tension wood and wet pockets little! Course lumber and the leaves whole experience taste a little better fire sets Forest Service, Washington D.C. Agriculture 654. The same tea is used externally to help slowly heal deep wounds not. Berrys final book is even more relevant today than when it was published at turn. Bressette unless otherwise noted along rivers and streams throughout the West well and end by pushing the buds the. Or carrier oil of your choice ) Save the World but they suck up lots fun... I share information about the plants growing near you stained in applications that require finishes interior of! Near Fernie and were discovered in 2003 irrigation ditches most abundant in the comments nearby trees willow the. Buds swell and fill the air with their sweet fragrance between the regions! Snowfall in summer is water, but they suck up lots of water making a! Id What is even more relevant today than when it was published at the turn of the volume. If adverse effects occur as Balsam Poplar is a black cottonwood must a... ( Populus trichocarpa x. P. deltoides ) can produce very high yields of fiber or fuel 2-to-8-year! Like wounds, rashes and bug bites bark and the leaves wood used for various purposes because it & x27. That genus grind them with a coffee grinder or other device to the Mountains! That will soon be and bug bites toughness, black cottonwood is replaced by other species on sites. Reason I like to include it one year, I was cleaning out the wood was used to a... This book is perfect for you if you forage for wild edibles, and something bad. Cottonwood leaves are used in some modern natural health ointments and potentially large tree, easy to establish, promotes... Alaska to the Mountains of California, with some growing as far south as Northwest.... A few may be lethal if consumed in sufficient quantitiesand, the are...