Populus fremontii

This deciduous, and fast growing tree, is valued for providing tranquil shade. Has a spreading open crown, and grows from 50-75 ft. When the wind blows, the leaves sound like a cascading stream. Bark is silver gray with plated furrows and amber fissures. The 2-4 in. leaves turn from copper green to a brilliant yellow. Autumn colors occur from October-November, mainly a bright yellow, also orange. Require lots of space. Can be shaped artistically when young to provide structure for shady enclosure. Native to California and is also found outside of California, but is confined to western North America. Habitat and food for birds Native Americans in the Western United States and Mexico used parts of the Fremont cottonwood variously for a medicine, in basket weaving, tool making, and for musical instruments. The inner bark contains vitamin C and was chewed as an antiscorbutic, or treatment for vitamin C deficiency. Found in riparian zones. streams, rivers, springs, wetlands, and well-watered alluvial bottomlands. Communitites located in Yellow Pine Forest, Red Fir Forest, Lodgepole Forest, Foothill Woodland, Chaparral, Valley Grassland, Creosote Bush Scrub, Wetland-riparian Between 0 and 6500 feet.

Sign of water in arid lands, fuel in an unwooded country, shade where shade is needed most... (Peattie) this tree follows the meandering streams in its native SW; blue-green spring leaves turn yellow in fall. S/M-W