When much of the landscape is covered in trees, it may seem hard to believe that there is actually a shortage of some tree species. But it’s true.

Of special concern are cottonwood riparian ecosystems found along the banks of streams and lakes. This type of habitat was once plentiful. Human activity – including the creation of reservoirs which have changed the natural flood regime – has now reduced black cottonwood stands to small fragments.

Cottonwood Facts

• The black cottonwood tree is a member of the poplar family.
• It thrives on wet sites where it can form large stands.
• Individual trees can reach 40 metres in height.
• The seeds require flooding and very moist conditions to germinate
• Black cottonwoods regenerate best on flood-disturbed surfaces.
• The trees can grow where others cannot, in gravel bars and flood-prone areas.
• Young cottonwoods are very flood-resistant once established
• Cottonwoods help suppress fires. They soak up a lot of water and can be very valuable in community fire-interface zones.
• The root system can help stabilize banks and prevent soil erosion.
• Buds and new leaves are covered in sticky resin in the spring and early summer.
• Cottonwoods produce a large number of seeds that are covered in white, fluffy hair which float on the wind in summer.
• They provide nesting sites for a variety of birds such as pileated woodpeckers, saw-whet owls, wood ducks, osprey, red-tailed hawks, and herons.
• These trees grow quickly and die young. As they are susceptible to rot, this provides homes for a variety of cavity-nesters, such as honey bees, bats, flying squirrels and the occasional black bear

These trees provide critical habitat for many local, at-risk species including the western screech-owl, Lewis’ woodpecker, and Townsend’s big-eared bats to name a few. Many reptiles, including the vulnerable (i.e. blue-listed species in B.C.) rubber boa may be found in cottonwood forests, where small mammals are often in abundance. Bats, including the vulnerable fringed myotis, forage for insects around rivers and wetlands adjacent to cottonwood forests. All of these species have been the focus of FWCP conservation efforts.

Besides serving as important habitat for many species, trees along the shoreline, like cottonwoods, drop leaves and twigs into the water adding organic matter to the food chain and supporting invertebrates which get eaten by other species. Shoreline cottonwoods also shade fish from the hot sun.

What can you do?

Find out More:

• Wildlife Tree Stewardship – A BC Nature Program
• Cottonwood Riparian Ecosystems of the Southern Interior, Ministry of Environment
• Riparian Ecosystems and Sensitive Wetlands
• Firewood or Wildlife Tree?