Poplar (cottonwood) — Narrowleaf
Populus angustifolia
Poplar (cottonwood) — Narrowleaf (Populus angustifolia) is a Colorado-native tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 30–50 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide, and needs low to medium water. Vigorous suckering; forms colonies. Use in native areas only.
Colorado nativelow to medium water30–50 ft tall and 15–25 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended for Most Sites
- Botanical name
- Populus angustifolia
- Variety / cultivar
- Narrowleaf
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 30–50 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold Hardiness
- Watch: Weak Wood
- Watch: Short Lived
- Watch: Suckers
Planting & establishment
Water deeply every 7–10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1–2×/month October–March when soil is dry and unfrozen — winter desiccation is a top killer of newly-planted trees. Year 3: taper to 2×/month in summer, then rely on natural precipitation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Poplar (cottonwood) — Narrowleaf good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Poplar (cottonwood) — Narrowleaf is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a tree suited to Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Poplar (cottonwood) — Narrowleaf get?
- It matures to about 30–50 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide.
- How much water does Poplar (cottonwood) — Narrowleaf need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Poplar (cottonwood) — Narrowleaf native to Colorado?
- Yes — it is a Colorado native.
Find Poplar (cottonwood) — Narrowleaf near you
See also
Related trees
Poplar (cottonwood) — Eastern
Populus deltoides
Poplar (cottonwood) — Plains 'Jeronimus'
Populus deltoides subsp. monilifera
Poplar (cottonwood) — Upright European, Aspen
Populus tremula 'Erecta'
Poplar (cottonwood) — Quaking Aspen
Populus tremuloides
Poplar (cottonwood) — PRAIRIE GOLD®
Populus tremuloides
Poplar (cottonwood) — Lanceleaf
Populus x acuminata