Status: Native
Synonyms:
Populus fremontii S. Watson
Populus deltoides is seen most commonly alongside larger rivers and creeks and in canyons in the Gila National Forest. The limbs tend to be weak and break off easily, such that there broken limbs scattered around the bases of larger trees. The trees with "their feet in water" can grow to enormous size. Sometimes a fallen horizontral trunk will sprout new branches. The bark is gray and deeply furrowed. The leaves are coarsely serrate and broad. The trees are dioecious-- male and female catkins form on different plants. The female (pistillate) flowers are green and turn into the characteristic cottony seeds. The male (staminate) flowers have a more yellow appearance.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Populus deltoides, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., CF Canyon, May 2, 2007
Populus deltoides, with storm brewing, photo Karen Blisard & Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Wild Horse Canyon, Oct. 17, 2004
Populus deltoides, pistillate catkins, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, March 11, 2009
Populus deltoides, closeup of pistillate catkin, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Pancho Canyon, March 15, 2009
Populus deltoides, closeup of pistillate flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Pancho Canyon, March 15, 2009
Populus deltoides, closeup of staminate catkin, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Pancho Canyon, March 15, 2009
Populus deltoides, detail of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Knight Canyon, Oct. 28, 2008
Populus deltoides, bark, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Pancho Canyon, December 12, 2008
Populus deltoides, capsule opened revealing seeds with long silky hairs, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, April 23, 2009
Populus deltoides, closeup of winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Bill Evans Road, December 29, 2009
Populus deltoides, closeup of winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Bill Evans Road, December 29, 2009
Populus deltoides, macro of bud, leaf scar and bundle scars on winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Bill Evans Road, December 29, 2009
Back to the Index