Aspen tree shedding cotton - Ask Extension
My aspen tree shed a ton of cotton last spring. Doesn't look like it will happen again this year. I know that female aspens shed cotton; My questi...
Knowledgebase
Aspen tree shedding cotton #449702
Asked April 25, 2018, 8:34 PM EDT
My aspen tree shed a ton of cotton last spring. Doesn't look like it will happen again this year. I know that female aspens shed cotton; My question is does this happen every other year or what?
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
To find the most appropriate individual to answer your question, what county in Colorado do you reside? Thanks! Ruth
Larimer
Hello,
Trees in the Populus genus (including aspen and cottonwood) produce catkins every year (where the cotton comes from). It's still a little early, as we tend to see the cotton fly sometime in May. But the amount of cotton produced may vary depending on climate, temperature, drought stress, winter conditions, etc. You are correct that only female trees release the cotton.
Trees in the Populus genus (including aspen and cottonwood) produce catkins every year (where the cotton comes from). It's still a little early, as we tend to see the cotton fly sometime in May. But the amount of cotton produced may vary depending on climate, temperature, drought stress, winter conditions, etc. You are correct that only female trees release the cotton.
