Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood)
Populus angustifolia
Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) (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, fast-growing, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Vigorous suckering; forms colonies. Use in native areas only.
Colorado nativelow to medium water30–50 ft tall and 15–25 ft wideXeric / water-wiseZones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Logan, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Drew Avery, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 4: (c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 30–50 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide
- Mature form
- Pyramidal
- Spacing / clearance
- ~25 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Lifespan
- Short-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Fall color
- Gold, yellow
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- riparian, foothills
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- Watch: Weak WoodBrittle wood that heavy spring snow and wind like to snap, so prune for strong structure and keep it clear of roofs, wires, and drives.
- Watch: Short LivedFast but not forever; this one runs short lived here, so enjoy it and plan a successor rather than treating it as a legacy tree.
- Watch: SuckersIt throws up shoots from the roots and base, so plan on cutting suckers to keep it from turning into a thicket.
Common problems on the Front Range
- Cytospora canker
- Poplar and aspen borers
- Leaf spot and rust in wet springs
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
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 Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) get?
- It matures to about 30–50 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide.
- How much room does Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) need?
- Give Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) about 25 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) grow into?
- Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) typically grows into a pyramidal, conical outline that is widest at the base. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) hardy on the Front Range?
- Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) is hardy in USDA 3–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) grow?
- Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) is a fast-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) live?
- Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) is relatively short-lived for a tree, so plan to replace it sooner than a long-lived shade tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) turn in fall?
- Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) turns gold and yellow in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) deer-resistant?
- Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) a good firewise plant near the house?
- Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) can be affected by cytospora canker and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
Find Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) near you
See also
Related trees
Eastern Poplar (cottonwood)
Populus deltoides
Plains 'Jeronimus' Poplar (cottonwood)
Populus deltoides subsp. monilifera
Upright European Poplar (cottonwood)
Populus tremula 'Erecta'
Quaking Aspen Poplar (cottonwood)
Populus tremuloides
PRAIRIE GOLD® Poplar (cottonwood)
Populus tremuloides
Lanceleaf Poplar (cottonwood)
Populus x acuminata