Cottonwood Tree
Populus deltoides
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Cottonwood Tree - #3 Container 2-3 Feet is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
| From | To | S&H |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
| $20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
| $50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
| $70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
| $100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
| $130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
| $150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Cottonwood Tree highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateFast
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Fall Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pollinator Required
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Fragrant
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodEarly Spring, Late Spring
Growing Zones 2 - 9
Waving and fluttering shimmering leaves, the gorgeous riparian native Cottonwood Tree (Populus deltoides) creates biodiversity and habitat in a hurry! These mighty native shade trees grow fast and won't mind occasional flooding and withstand harsh storms and winds throughout a wide range of the U.S.!
A host to countless insects and home to numerous songbirds, a single Cottonwood is a smorgasbord to insectivorous birds and shelters wildlife in five-star hotel fashion! The fast growth means a bigger impact on your landscape and shading your home and garden with their dynamic leaves - similar to Aspen - that wave and shimmer in the slightest breeze!
The light green, heart-shaped foliage has a silvery cast to the underside, making the fluttering leaves flash and sparkle! The fluffy 'summer snow' seed pods on female trees are ornamental and Hummingbirds use the fluff to line their nests. In fall, the leaves turn a brilliant yellow throughout a wide range of USDA growing zones 2 to 9! Large and in charge, mature trees top out at 50 - 80 feet in height and spread wide to 30 - 60 feet!
Planting and Application:
The hardy Cottonwood has it all in a legacy tree! You'll quickly gain shade, motion, and gentle "white noise" while enjoying a statuesque specimen on your lawn. Much like a garden fountain, the soft murmur of the leaves helps mask the unpleasant sounds of traffic. Cottonwood trees are magnificent, large-scale focal points in the sun landscape!
If you want a privacy screen, allow new growth to remain along the lower trunk. Their thick root systems control erosion on stream banks, in Rain Gardens and improve water quality. Create a very effective sound barrier, windbreak, or shelterbelt with these sturdy trees and their strong limbs.
These trees should not be used near buildings or paved driveways and sidewalks as their wide root systems can be shallow. They are best near the edge of a property, or on a larger open space an are ideal for wetland restoration plantings.
- Shimmering Leaves Catch the Breeze
- Puffy Seeds In Summer
- Adds Motion & White Noise To The Landscape
- Large-Scale & Fast Growing
- Great Erosion Control & Shade
- Towering Shade Trees & Great in Rain Gardens, Flood Zones & Lawn Trees
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Cottonwood Trees are extremely fast-growing, hardy and easy to care for in addition to being cold-tolerant and heat-resistant! Virtually indestructible, they are rust and pest-resistant. Plant in full sun, but young trees won't mind being understory plants but will soon outgrow their neighbors and take up all the sun. Provide a well-drained site since in nature these plants not only need sandy river banks to germinate and love great drainage with adequate moisture access while they are getting established. Provide a well-drained moderately moist site with Nature Hills Root Booster and a healthy layer of arborist bark chips. Prune for size and shape in the late winter when the tree is dormant.
- Full Sun
- Fast-Growing in Well-Drained Soil
- Moderate to High Moisture & Occasional Flooding
- Prune When Dormant
- Cold-Hardy Native Trees
Fast-growing shade, shelter & landscape pinnacles the native Cottonwood Tree will add a long-lived, iconic legacy to your landscape for generations to come! Order yours today at NatureHills.com!
