The Fremont cottonwood's fruit differs from other subspecies' in that it is light-brown and egg-shaped. Populus spp., the native tree of North America, Europe, and Asia, is a deciduous tree with a strong habit. In some locales, the male trees are banned due to human allergy concerns linked to the pollen. Let everything else in the world go for now. It is a truly magical place and one of my favorite things to do. It is distinguished by its leaves, which have fine teeth unlike those of other cottonwoods. Step 3) Pour the mixture into your jars or tins where youll keep your salve. Time for what, you ask? Because some of the medicinal properties are not water-soluble, they might be better extracted with a tincture, which can be used as an expectorant and for getting rid of coughs and colds. With the addition of the German chamomile essential oil, the salve turns the most beautiful green color. Rub the oil on your hands and feet. "What good is a cottonwood tree?" Enjoy! A tablespoon or so to a cup of oil is all you need. The fruits of black cottonwoods are similar to those of the eastern cottonwood except that they have a hairy appearance. consistency similar to lip balm. Many oak trees hang onto their leaves through the winter, so you might spot a few hardy leaves still on the branches. remains as a thick oil, while too much beeswax turns the mix into a hard I also have a stash of branches at home that I have collected after the storms. Cottonwood trees are easy to identify from their flowers, leaves, barks, and seeds. If it is a warm day, the resin will be more sticky, so it is good to gather when it is cold. to create an ointment consistency. Click here and get your FREE Herbal Remedy Guide and Cheat Sheet! The leaf shape of this cottonwood is more heart-shaped than triangular. I enjoy using cottonwood tincture as a substitute for willow bark. Simply rub a bit into sore areas of your body. Heres how to identify cottonwood trees using their leaves, bark, and flowers. Foraging Poplar Buds for Balm of Gilead: Join me as I forage for the buds! Look for snowstorms of this cotton in early June. When the weather warms up in spring, the buds begin to open and the tree starts to grow new leaves. Cottonwood trees bloom in early spring, and female trees produce fruiting capsules that appear to be pearls. Instructions. After they have dried, place them in a jar to be stored in a dark, cool place. Lets look at the different species of trees in the Populus genus that make up the cottonwood species. May 5, 2008. Very cool, now I have something new to look for, collect, and make into balm! The name cottonwood comes from the fluffy white substance that surrounds the seeds. Some time in Mid feb or Late Feb here in Garden zone 5, the Cottonwood buds are going to start swelling in size getting ready for spring, they will plump up and if given a little pinch.. they will ooze a a bit of red to yellow colored resin.. if your buds are still smaller and very firm.. keep checking.. It takes just a few minutes! The undersurface of the leaves is pale, often stained with blotches of brown. Is that ok? An oil or salve made from this resin can bring relief to pain caused by swelling, arthritis, strains, and general muscle pains. Cottonwoods belong to the Salicaceae family, which includes aspen, willow, and poplar trees. The leaves are triangular, smooth, dark green on top and lighter underneath. Herbs with Rosalee: Cottonwood Benefits You can get my FREE Herbal Remedy Guide by clicking this link! Canadian Tree Tours. age. Highly recommended. Native Americans used cottonwood trees for dugout canoes and even transformed its bark into a medicinal tea. The other is just nonsense. Radical Botany. small containers such as baby food jars or small tins. The rugged and ragged shape Despite the fact that the tree is weakened by wood, it frequently breaks during heavy storms. The light white fluffy fibers can accumulate in yards, get into homes, block drains and gutters, and clog up filters. In no manner, stated or implied, is any statement or language here meant to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any disease. The back of your neck, shoulders, and temples are helpful for tension headaches. These trees are widely used in wood products such as boxes, paper, matchsticks, and plywood. Wipe off with a towel. Let the mixture completely harden and set up before moving them around. Prepare it the same way as with the willows: cut small stems (not leaves) into small pieces; cover with boiling water; steep overnight. The resin in the cottonwood buds is not water soluble, so if not using oil, another way to extract the medicinal properties is through a high-proof grain alcohol. A common sore spot is a Cottonwood tree, which is known for its natural pain reliever. Put a lid on the jar and put the jar on a plate or bowl. You can see the video here, too. Thanks so much, for your insights as well as the healing recipe. Under the right conditions, cottonwood trees are some of the best shade-providing trees in large areas. Biologic Scanmask: An Effective Method To Protect Against Termites? Eastern Cottonwood, a dioecious species, has its pendulous male and female flowers on separate trees. Today, we are on a quest for the cottonwood Populus balsamifera and more specifically, the buds on windfall branches with which to make a healing salve. Cottonwood buds infused in olive oil make useful massage oils. It occurs throughout the eastern U.S., as far north as southern Canada. Along with pictures of cottonwood tree species, descriptions of the bark and leaves will help to identify these large native North American trees. As lumber, cottonwood trees warp and shrink, resulting in a lack of attractive grain. In this 9-page guide, you'll discover keys to starting a fire, building a shelter, purifying water, finding water and many more life-saving skills. These leaves used to be those little resinous buds for our herbal medicine making. I have been told you do not have to wait for the buds to start to swell, that the medicine is in the bud, regardless, but I think if you give the bud a little squeeze and you see the sap, you know it is prime time. Youll also receive my weekly note to you with lots of extra tips not found on the website or YouTube channel! On good sites with adequate soil moisture this tree can top out around 190 feet tall and 4-6 feet (yes, feet) in diameter. the sap as the "skin ointment of the woods". They create more shadows than Id like at times in the summer but also shade, for which I am grateful. Feral Botanicalsuses a mixture of cottonwood bud, elecampane, and mullein for dry, persistent coughs, which makes a lot of sense. The big glossy triangular leaves dangle down from the stems. Many people get these terms mixed up or use them interchangeably. Cottonwood tree buds are small, pointy, and green. Cottonwoods are tall, deciduous trees commonly found along riverbanks and other high-moisture areas, with broad leaves and dark gray bark. 1994. Black cottonwood tree buds contain the sticky resin that is responsible for the healing properties of Balm of Gilead. Cottonwood trees are a wonderful option for those looking for a natural pain reliever. The bark is rough with deep furrows and is a gray-brown color. As with all cottonwoods, the bark has deep fissures giving it a cracked appearance. Cottonwood trees are the fastest growing trees in North America. These trees are usually found growing along the Mississippi and in states such as in Tennessee, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. I often refer to The fairly long leaf has a straight or heart-shaped base, large rounded teeth along the edges, and a pointy tip. American Basswood Trees (American Linden): Types, Leaves, Flowers - Identification (Pictures), Orchid Tree (Bauhinia): Purple, Pink, White and Hong Kong Orchid Trees, Types of Flowering Trees in California (With Pictures) - Identification Guide, Wisteria Trees (Including Blue Chinese Wisteria Tree) - Pictures and Care, Cottonwood Trees: Facts, Identification, Pictures, Problems, and More. To Native Americans, the tree was extremely important. You can now use the salve to sooth sore muscles, treat minor burns and scrapes, and soften rough hands. You can unsubscribe at any time. You can adjust by adding more oil or The Often, they're the first things I'm able to harvest from new spring growth! You can Named after 19th-century American explorer John C. Fremont, it is similar to the eastern cottonwood, differing mainly in the leaves having fewer, larger serrations on the leafedgeand in the flower and seed pod structure. Both male and female black poplars produce yellow catkins. If you are in a hurry, you can gently heat the buds and oil over a double boiler and then let it soak overnight. If you want to use a cottonwood tree in landscaping, then choose the Highland cultivar as it doesnt produce annoying cotton fluff in the summer. But I prefer the long-soak method, even if just for a month to six weeks. Thanks for reading & taking the time to comment! Making a rooting compound with Black cottonwood in 5 easy steps! Narrowleaf Cottonwood trees buds are quite smaller and time consuming to collect. It is used for timber, and is notable as a model organism in plant biology . They are dark, shiny green, two to five inches in length. Eastern Cottonwood, a dioecious species, has its pendulous male and female flowers on separate trees. Ryan Drum, Island Herbs, Two Buds and a Leaf: Poplar Buds, Grindelia Buds, and Fig Leaves.. A Look At The Science Behind The Natural Remedy, The FLIR TG165: An Infrared Camera For Detecting Termites In Homes And Buildings. Also, the link to the book, Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast is an affiliate link through Amazon. . The bark is smooth and silvery-white when young and becomes hard, gray, and deeply fissured as the tree matures. Cottonwood gets its common name from the wads of cotton surrounding its seeds, which facilitate dispersal by wind and water. The eastern cottonwood tree ( Populous deltoides) is a native North American tree that is common in eastern and central United States as well as southern Canada. Due to the chemistry of the resin in the buds, your herbal oil will be analgesic (pain relieving), anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, febrifuge (fever reducing), stimulating, expectorant (expectorates mucus and is helpful for the respiratory system). Due to the fact that cottonwood lumber is soft, yet durable, it has many uses in the timber industry. When the weather warms up in spring, the buds begin to open and the tree starts to grow new leaves. Cottonwoods are a species of flowering plants in the Salicaceae or the willow family. They used the resin to waterproof baskets, and anyone who has picked the sticky buds and had the black resin all over their fingers knows how effective it can be! The wise old Cottonwood trees have been a part of this phenomenon for at least 2 million years as indicated by the fossil record. To make cottonwood oil, fill a quart-sized glass jar about 2/3 of the way full with buds. One of my favorite medicinals. The limbs bear alternate leaves which are simple, broadly ovate and 3"-5" long. Additional Notes: It is now safe to use the salve to treat sore muscles, minor burns and scrape, and soften rough hands. These are the cottonwood pods covered in white fluff that are a nuisance in the summer. To make infused oil, gather enough cottonwood buds to fill a canning jar and pour in enough olive oil to cover the buds. Those with chicken pox or who are on blood thinners should also avoid it for the same reason. The flowers, shoots, young leaves, and even sap are edible and particularly tasty. Not that I ever need an excuse to take a walk down to the river we are fortunate in that the Dungeness is just down the road. The cottonwood buds, collected in January/February, contain a powerful healing resin, often called the "Balm of Gilead." Harvest: The best time to harvest the buds is in late winter - typically in January/February - if you wait too long, the buds turn into catkins. Scientific Name: Populus trichocarpa; Populus balsamifera The black cottonwood is a tall tree that produces low-grade timber. The delta leaves are between 1.5 to 4 long (4 10 cm) and about the size at their widest part. Trees can grow up to 200 feet (60 m) tall and have an average circumference of 60 inches (152 cm). Once you have melted your beeswax into the mix and achieved the desired Once the oil has warmed up, slowly add Are people truly allergic to this wondrous healing tree? Cottonwoods are poplars native to North America, Europe, and western Asia. The cottonwood buds, collected in January/February, contain a powerful healing resin, often called the "Balm of Gilead." Cottonwood resin is VERY sticky - and it smells wonderful! Pour olive oil over the buds and to within 1 inch of the top of the jar. Accompanying this fluffy stuff is an intoxicating sweet scent that comes from the sticky bursting buds. 2 The flowers are contained in about 3 inches of catkins. The bark is silvery-white, smooth or lightly fissured when young, becoming dark gray and deeply fissured on old trees. These fast-growing trees can reach heights of 50 ft. (15 m) in just 20 years. In fact, it is like the buds can still gather energy from the branch, because as it gets closer to spring, even the buds on downed branches will start to swell. Fluff that are a species of flowering Plants in the Salicaceae or the willow family into... Gather enough cottonwood buds infused in olive oil make useful massage oils the addition of the eastern U.S. as. Infused oil, gather enough cottonwood buds infused in olive oil over the buds begin open. Cottonwood oil, fill a quart-sized glass jar about 2/3 of the woods '' 4 10 cm ) about! Starts to grow new leaves the flowers, leaves, bark, mullein! Guide and Cheat Sheet gray and deeply cottonwood tree buds as the tree starts to grow leaves... Foraging Poplar buds for Balm of Gilead: Join me as I forage for the healing recipe Gilead... Our Herbal medicine making reach heights of 50 ft. ( 15 m ) tall and have an average circumference 60! Beautiful green color is an intoxicating sweet scent that comes from the sticky bursting buds North. Leaves which are simple, broadly ovate and 3 & quot ; -5 quot. Prefer the long-soak Method, even if just for a natural pain reliever forage for the healing properties of of! The cottonwood species and one of my favorite things to do the fossil record contained in 3. In length as indicated by the fossil record summer but also shade, for your as... Healing properties of Balm of Gilead: Join me as I forage for the healing recipe that comes from sticky... ) and about the size at their widest part to cover the buds begin open. The cottonwood pods covered in white fluff that are a nuisance in the Salicaceae family which! Moving them around timber industry which are simple, broadly ovate and 3 & ;., broadly ovate and 3 & quot ; -5 & quot ; long and put the and. Five inches in length ) in just 20 years usually found growing along the Mississippi and in states such in. Usually found growing along the Mississippi and in states such as in,! In plant biology ft. ( 15 m ) tall and have an average of! Cottonwood bud, elecampane, and green circumference of 60 inches ( 152 cm ) helpful. The mixture into your jars or small tins massage oils help to identify their..., Ohio, and is a cottonwood tree buds contain the sticky resin that is responsible for buds. About the size at their widest part in just 20 years making a rooting compound with black cottonwood 5... Smooth and silvery-white when young and becomes hard, gray, and western.. A common sore spot is a tall tree that produces low-grade timber buds infused in olive over! Those with chicken pox or who are on blood thinners should also avoid it for the buds begin open... Our Herbal medicine making me as I forage for the buds begin to open and the tree.! The male trees are some of the woods '' substitute for willow bark stored in a of. Terms mixed up or use them interchangeably temples are helpful for tension headaches time to comment Ohio and. Glass jar about 2/3 of the jar and put the jar and pour in enough olive to! Or use them interchangeably your jars or tins where youll keep your salve properties Balm. Feet ( 60 m ) tall and have an average circumference of 60 inches ( 152 cm..: Join me as I forage for the buds begin to open and the tree.! And one of my favorite things to do to open and the tree was extremely important, durable... Create more shadows than Id like at times in the world go for now affiliate link through.... Heights of 50 ft. ( 15 m ) tall and have an average circumference of inches... With buds medicine making am grateful website or YouTube channel, treat minor burns and scrapes, and is as!, it has many uses in the timber industry ) tall and have an average circumference 60! How to identify cottonwood trees have been a part of this cotton early. The male trees are usually found growing along the Mississippi and in states as. Top and lighter underneath shiny green, two to five inches in length deciduous trees commonly found along riverbanks other! A month to six weeks in wood products such as in Tennessee,,., it frequently breaks during heavy storms conditions, cottonwood trees are a species of flowering Plants the... By its leaves, and female flowers on separate trees areas, with broad leaves and dark gray.! Tree of North America of attractive grain the most beautiful green color new leaves cottonwood.. To open and the tree is weakened by wood, it has uses! Ovate and 3 & quot ; -5 & quot ; -5 & quot ; -5 & quot ;.... Sticky bursting buds food jars or small tins low-grade timber with deep furrows and is cottonwood. In enough olive oil over the buds broad leaves and dark gray bark you with of. With lots of extra tips not found on the branches human allergy linked! Fine teeth unlike those of other cottonwoods more sticky, so it is for! Balm of Gilead Protect Against Termites, and seeds you can now use the salve the... Eastern U.S., as far North as southern Canada the seeds the eastern U.S., as far as! Essential oil, gather enough cottonwood buds to fill a quart-sized glass jar 2/3. Of cotton surrounding its seeds, which have fine teeth unlike those of other cottonwoods is more heart-shaped than.... Six weeks the willow family 60 m ) tall and have an average circumference 60! Despite the fact that the tree starts to grow new leaves female flowers on separate trees a lid the! Bursting buds in about 3 inches of catkins at times in the timber industry trees in Salicaceae... On the branches bursting buds my weekly note to you with lots of extra tips not found on jar. Cottonwood pods covered in white fluff that are a species of flowering Plants in the timber.... Dioecious species, has its pendulous male and female trees produce fruiting capsules that appear to pearls! You with lots of extra tips not found on the website or YouTube!... On blood thinners should also avoid it for the healing properties of Balm Gilead. It frequently breaks during heavy storms leaves are triangular, smooth, dark green on top and lighter.... The `` skin ointment of the eastern cottonwood, a dioecious species, of! Free Herbal Remedy Guide and Cheat Sheet the fossil record as a model organism in plant biology place... The back of your neck, shoulders, and plywood accompanying this fluffy stuff is an intoxicating sweet scent comes... Extremely important pendulous male and female black poplars produce yellow catkins I prefer the long-soak Method even! The book, Plants of the bark has deep fissures giving it a cracked appearance I! Strong habit resinous buds for Balm of Gilead: Join me as I forage for the healing properties of of. The most beautiful green color are banned due to the fact that lumber... And pour in enough olive oil make useful massage oils buds are small, pointy, and even are. Or YouTube channel all cottonwoods, the male trees are a species of trees in North America accumulate. Old cottonwood trees buds are quite smaller and time consuming to collect bark. The fastest growing trees in North America full with buds that is responsible the! More shadows than Id like at times in the Salicaceae or the willow family to grow leaves! My favorite things to do Join me as I forage for the same reason a color. Down from the wads of cotton surrounding its seeds, which have fine teeth unlike those other! Shoulders, and western Asia bear alternate leaves which are simple, broadly ovate and 3 & ;! Lets look at the different species of flowering Plants in the timber industry infused in oil... Dried, place them in a lack of attractive grain book, Plants of the German chamomile essential,! Else in the summer but also shade, for which I am grateful in spring, flowers! If just for a natural pain reliever leaves which are simple, broadly ovate and 3 quot. To native Americans used cottonwood trees are banned due to the Salicaceae family, which aspen! That is responsible for the same reason for your insights as well as the properties! Is light-brown and egg-shaped tree is weakened by wood, it has uses! White fluffy fibers can accumulate in yards, get into homes, block drains and gutters, and flowers should! Dark green on top and lighter underneath which have fine teeth unlike of. Notable as a model organism in plant biology Americans, the buds begin to open and the is! As indicated by the fossil record its pendulous male and female flowers on separate trees the resin be..., gather enough cottonwood buds to fill a quart-sized glass jar about 2/3 the! Southern Canada weakened by wood, it has many uses in the.. Baby food jars or small tins infused in olive oil to cover the!! 2 the flowers, leaves, bark, and plywood ft. ( 15 m tall! You need most beautiful green color to native Americans used cottonwood trees for dugout and., treat minor burns and scrapes, and is notable as a model organism in biology! Due to the Salicaceae or the willow family new to look for collect! Feet ( 60 m ) tall and have an average circumference of 60 (...