NOTE: This article is about how to identify, forage, and use poplar/cottonwood (Populus spp.) It is used for timber, and is notable as a model organism in plant biology . In terms of flowers, these cottonwoods produce yellow catkins on both male and female trees. Give thanks. Inspecting For Subterranean Termites: A Step-By-Step Guide, The Stench Of Love: How Pepe Le Pews Signature Scent Has Been Used To Control Termites, Protecting Your Home From Termites: How To Safeguard Your Straw Bale Walls, Exploring The Causes Of And Solutions To The Mysterious Death Of Termites, The Threat Of Trichonymphas Disappearance On Termites And Our Global Ecosystem, Protecting Your Home And Business From Termites In South Florida, Does Citronella Really Work To Repel Termites? Now, lets get on to this beautiful Balm of Gilead recipe! The buds also contain salicin and populin, compounds that reduce pain, inflammation, and fevers. A tablespoon or so to a cup of oil is all you need. In a double boiler, heat 2 parts by volume of clarified butter (also known as ghee). Family: Salicaceae It takes away the aches and pains, heals the cracks and bruises, combats fungal infections, and calms inflammation. I used the buffing compound on a small portion on my car and it took it off but took for ever. Why I so carefully break the buds from wind-felled limbs. The fruits of black cottonwoods are similar to those of the eastern cottonwood except that they have a hairy appearance. Then fill the jar up to the top with olive oil (I prefer olive oil as it does not spoil easily). Because the sticky golden resin that can be found on its buds, petioles, and sometimes leaves is one of my favorites, I enjoy smelling it. about 1 inch in diameter per year. The ancient plant also contains a balsam resin. curing process. Cottonwoods are among the tallest and fastest growing hardwoods in North America, adding up to seven feet in height every year and attaining overall heights of over 150 feet. Why I love their perfumed smell. Cottonwood suckers pop up throughout our lawn and in the perennial beds, trying desperately to create a cottonwood grove. Visit their website for a lot of great information on the medicinal uses of this tree. That would be nice for arthritis. One of the common features of all types of cottonwood trees is the fluffy cotton-like strands that appear every June. Collecting, processing and preparing cottonwood bud infused oils is a rite of spring for my husband and I! An oil or salve made from this resin can bring relief to pain caused by swelling, arthritis, strains, and general muscle pains. FREE Mini Survival Guide: "Thriving in the Outdoors". For reference, most species of cotton plants only grow up to 6ft tall, while cottonwood trees can grow up to 100ft at full maturity. This huge majestic deciduous tree is also called the Alamo cottonwood as it is found in Texas and other southern US states. Poplar cottonwoods also grow on the east coast of southern Canada and in northeastern Mexico. Thanks for reading & taking the time to comment! Balm of Gilead is a common name used for the medicine of Cottonwood bud oil, or as a name for the tree itself. The balsam poplar tree is a hardwood tree with fast growth, simple lanceolate or ovate, shiny green leaves, and reddish-gray, furrowed bark. Before long, our fingers are covered with the sticky black stuff and we have collected about a pound. The trees are also used in large parks to attract different kinds of wildlife and create windbreaks. Making a rooting compound with Black cottonwood in 5 easy steps! Radical Botany. Cottonwood trees are a wonderful option for those looking for a natural pain reliever. The term has come to mean a healing cure that does all things. It was quite comical. Put a lid on the jar and put the jar on a plate or bowl. prefer olive oil as it does not spoil easily). Their tall stature and fast-growing nature mean they are more suited to large, wide-open spaces. Grosbeaks eat the seeds. Cottonwood fluff surrounds the seeds of female tree species and may cause allergy. Many medicinal uses. The eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) is the largest hardwood tree in North America, accounting for roughly half of all hardwood trees. Similar to all species of cottonwood, black poplars are fast-growing trees that produce low-grade timber. Now that you have created cottonwood oil, you can use the following recipe to create your very own medicinal salve. trichocarpa (Torr. 1 cup Cottonwood Buds (this does not need to be exact) 3 cups your favorite organic oil (my favorite is sunflower; safflower, olive, and canola can be ok) . This tree rarely exceeds 125 years of age. We have found a good spot. Leaf shape like a spearhead that turns from glossy green in the summer to bright yellow in the fall. You can adjust by adding more oil or He has been teaching wilderness skills for over twenty years. The branches may have buds that are sticky with resin and fragrant. The hollow trunk, which provides shelter from predators, as well as the twigs and bark that provide food, make it an ideal windbreak tree. Cottonwoods (Populus deltoides) are one of the fastest growing trees in North America, and can grow five feet per year. Cottonwood leaves grow alternately on branches and have a flat stem. They are often found in forests near rivers or streams and grow to between 65 and 195 ft. (20 60 m) high. I adore this resin, which is the base for my perfume. This might take up to an hour or more, depending on how warm your home is. Steve Nix is a member of the Society of American Foresters and a former forest resources analyst for the state of Alabama. Many species of Cottonwood and Poplar trees produce resinous buds that have long been used for topical, internal, and aromatic medicine by various Native American tribes. In fact, cottonwoods are one of the fastest-growing trees in North America. to create an ointment consistency. Many people recognize this tree from the cottony substance that falls from the trees in early summer. A menagerie of useful plants and things handmade. The leaf can be triangular or ovate, with fine serration along the edges. The fast growth rate of cottonwood trees and the strength of the timber means it has many uses. The bark is silvery-white, smooth or lightly fissured when young, becoming dark gray and deeply fissured on old trees. It keeps a long time; it is naturally antimicrobial. In this article, you will find out information about cottonwood trees. Cottonwood leaf buds contain tannins, as well as anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing salicylates. It is a truly magical place and one of my favorite things to do. You will also notice deep toothed edging on the leaves which isnt present on its pointed end. As with most species of trees in the cottonwood family, the timber is weak and the narrowleaf cottonwood tree is not commercially important. Narrowleaf cottonwood trees grow to about 98 ft. (30 m) tall and grow in zones 3 7. Historically, their presence was used as an indicator for water. Cottonwood salve is an amazing medicine. Too little beeswax and the mixture I like olive oil for this plant, and I also let it infuse for a very long timearound three months. Step 1) Using a double boiler system, add your oil and beeswax to your jar or bowl and gently melt them together. Trees can grow up to 200 feet (60 m) tall and have an average circumference of 60 inches (152 cm). The fluff carries cottonwood seeds and a lucky few (for us and them) germinate and in about 10 years they will send off their own cotton-like seed pods. And if you know of anyone who might enjoy this article, please share this with them! P.S. Description: The delta leaves are between 1.5 to 4 long (4 10 cm) and about the size at their widest part. Even just a slight breeze causes cottonwood trees to make this unique rustling sound. (Catkins are slim, narrow, cylindrical clusters of flowers that trees produce at the ends of their branches. February and March are often the best times of year to Often, theyre the first things Im able to harvest from new spring growth! Eastern Cottonwood was also used as a food source in the past. Because it is so antibacterial, I think of it as bee medicine., Resources: Leaves are triangular or heart-shaped, and light green with white veins, turning golden yellow in the fall. You will also notice fruit looking like large clumps of fluffy white cottonwood pods on the tree. Swamp cottonwoods are another species of massive tree that grows in temperate regions in North America. Recipe: Cottonwood Tincture Tightly seal and let the buds steep until the liquid turns a reddish color, which can vary depending on the kind of alcohol and the quality of the plants. The leaves are lanceolate and have scalloped edges. As with all cottonwoods, the bark has deep fissures giving it a cracked appearance. Elongated narrow leaves that are glossy green and turn sunny yellow in the fall. This essential oil blend is not recommended for use by children under 15 (adult-sized). These large trees provide good shade and grow in almost any environment. I have come here in search of healing. tree buds in the early spring for medicine. They usually occupy wet riparian areas in the East or seasonally dry creek beds in the West. They often glisten with sap and will break off from the branch easily. Incidentally, those are also the trees that release a ridiculous amount of fluff in the spring that accumulates in the gutters to look like snow. Catkin buds fallen from the tree try to root in the gravel around the raised garden beds, looking in vain for some decent soil. Gather freely. Step 1: Gather Buds A Look At The Science Behind The Natural Remedy, The FLIR TG165: An Infrared Camera For Detecting Termites In Homes And Buildings. Additional Notes: If you are in a hurry, you can gently heat the buds and oil over a double boiler and then let it soak overnight. You can harvest the buds from the nexus where the buds meet the branch by breaking them off cleanly. Just As the name narrowleaf cottonwood suggests, these cottonwood trees have narrow leaves when compared to other cottonwood trees. If you cut into the bud and it is brown and dead, it is an indication that it has been dead quite a long time. Their tall stature and wide-spreading dense foliage mean they are great shade trees. oil can then be used as it is or turned into a cottonwood salve. This cottonwood species is also classed as a riparian zone tree, meaning it thrives near rivers and streams. Identification of Fremonts cottonwood trees is by their cordate shaped leaves (heart-shape), coarsely serrated edges, and elongated smooth-edged tip. Cottonwoods are also known to drop branches. These fast-growing trees can reach heights of 50 ft. (15 m) in just 20 years. Do not use a new product on someone else if you are unsure whether they will be affected. Those with chicken pox or who are on blood thinners should also avoid it for the same reason. & A.Gray ex Hook.) They are a common sight in the Rocky Mountains where they grow near mountain streams and creeks. Dont be a stranger! Put 1 parts cottonwood buds in a jar and pour 3 parts alcohol over the top. Cottonwood trees still thrive along Lolo Creek in the . The three cottonwood subspecies found in the U.S. and Canada are similar in some wayssuch as their tendency to grow talland different in others, like leaf color and growing conditions. Both Cottonwood Trees and Willow Trees produce their own rooting hormone, called auxin. This is one of my favorite seasonal salves to make, and I love that I can harvest these buds from the stately deciduous tree, the cottonwood every early spring. The buds, which are high in antioxidants and Vitamin C, can be steeped in a tea for respiratory congestion, tossed in soups, or eaten raw. They are dark, shiny green, two to five inches in length. The richer the better! Their presence indicated water within easy digging distance. It smells like a cross between frankincense and something sweeter, to me, with camphoraceous overtones. They, too, collect the resin to make propolis, which is used to seal the hive and is used as a food source. Stir every few weeks if you get the chance, and make sure the buds stay covered by the oil (exposed buds will mold). As lumber, cottonwood trees warp and shrink, resulting in a lack of attractive grain. This rapid growth leads to weak wood that is easily damaged. The resins from the buds also possess antifungal and antimicrobial properties in the form of flavones. Youll still have an amazing salve even if you dont use them. My son and I recently made salve from buds we collected a year ago, but you neednt wait that long. We so enjoy our first strolls along the river banks deep in the cottonwood Bosque. There are separate male and female cottonwoods (known as a "dioecious" species), but only the females produce the flowers with the fluffy white "cotton" that helps to disperse the seeds further afield. One of the unique aspects of cottonwood trees is the white soft fluff that seems to get everywhere. before your salve begins to firm up, you can pour the warm salve into Cottonwoods are related to aspens since they are a poplar species. Black Cottonwood and the Balm of Gilead (Populus balsamifer ssp. . The cottonwood gets its name from the millions of cotton-like seeds that female trees release each spring. We walk under the bridge and listen to the cars rumble overhead; no one seems to see us here amongst the brush and brambles and fallen branches. It is now safe to use the salve to treat sore muscles, minor burns and scrape, and soften rough hands. . The leaf bud pictured at left is the feature containing a sticky black substance that gives the black cottonwood its proper botanical name. It is anti-inflammatory and great for aching muscles, bruises, and arthritis. This healing balm or salve is definitely a must-have for your home medicine chest. Cottonwoods are poplars native to North America, Europe, and western Asia. and has large heart-shaped leaves with small teeth. Uses: Reforestation, ripairan area restoration, windbreaks, cover for birds, habitat; it is often used to control flooding. To make cottonwood oil, fill a quart-sized glass jar about 2/3 of the Due to the chemistry of the resin in the buds, your herbal oil will be analgesic (pain relieving), anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, febrifuge (fever reducing), stimulating, expectorant (expectorates mucus and is helpful for the respiratory system). The straight from the bud. Soak the cottonwood buds in oil to extract medicinal qualities. The sticky buds are a pain to get off shoes and feet. The typical cottonwood tree lives 70 to 100 years, but they can reach 400 in ideal conditions. Our cottonwood drops the sticky buds when it doesn't develop the cotton, so you probably have a cottonwood. Young cottonwoods can add six feet to their height each year, and adult cottonwoods can reach heights of 200 feet tall and 9 feet diameter. Populus trichocarpa Torr. 1/4 cup of shaved beeswax water, that large branches often become so heavy that they break off and The cottonwood branches are quite brittle and easily break during a strong wind, so the best time to collect is after a storm passes through and the branches are on the ground. The river is healing in itself, but along its banks, rosehips, plantain, yarrow, elderberry, blackberry, willow, salal, and so much more and towering overhead, the black cottonwood. Just found a good write-up by Scott Kloos at the School of Forest Medicine: Black Cottonwood Begins the Yearly Harvest Cycle. Hope that helps! Cottonwood flowers look like small fuzzy buds (catkins) with reddish or yellowish flowers. You will notice the leaves have a serrated edge and the curved triangle shape tapers to a sharp, elongated point. The cottonwood buds, collected in January/February, contain a powerful healing resin, often called the "Balm of Gilead." Cottonwood resin is VERY sticky - and it smells wonderful! After a stormy day you can usually find All of its components, from the bark to the buds to the capsules, can be consumed. It is both antifungal / antibacterial and a rooting stimulant. Cottonwood trees provide cheap timber for making pellets, boxes, crates, and also pulp for paper. Cottonwood trees are species of poplar trees belonging to the genus Populus. The large male flowers shed abundant amounts of pollen in early spring (and can have bright gold, green, or red flowers). Feral Botanicals The Essential Skills of Wilderness Survival, Take the "Online Survival Training Readiness" Quiz. Heat up your cottonwood oil on the stove on low heat. Canadian Tree Tours. Because it can tolerate flooding, it often grows near river banks and disturbed wet areas. beeswax to gain the desired consistency. Aphids, leaf beetles, canker fungus, fungal leaf spots, and root rot are just some of the problems these trees have. #15. heidivillegas@healingharvesthomestead.com, Privacy Policy, Affiliate Disclosures, Disclaimers, Legal Stuff: Privacy Policy, Disclaimers, Notices, Disclosures. Black Cottonwood and the Balm of Gilead (Populus balsamifer ssp. Because it contains the same compound as aspirin, which relieves pain and reduces fever, it contains salicin, which is the same compound found in the resin. If the bud is brown on the inside but still green on the outside, the damage is probably due to cold damage. There are only a few species of poplar trees that are classified as cottonwoods. To make a salve, simply strain the oil through cheesecloth and then thicken it with a bit of melted beeswax. Andif you want to tincture your buds, you can learn about tinctures here. I like to pick them off broken branches after a winter storm, when the buds have begun to swell and are sticky with resin (which can be almost black!). Eastern Cottonwood, a dioecious species, has its pendulous male and female flowers on separate trees. Click here and get your FREE Herbal Remedy Guide and Cheat Sheet! When the weather warms up in spring, the buds begin to open and the tree starts to grow new leaves. Fluffy cotton-like strands that appear every June about 98 ft. ( 20 60 m ) high black are... Making pellets, boxes, crates, and western Asia unsure whether they will be affected tree to... To use the following recipe to create your very own medicinal salve double boiler, heat 2 parts volume... Aphids, leaf beetles, canker fungus, fungal leaf spots, and root rot are some! Grow five feet per year these cottonwood trees still thrive along Lolo creek the. Might take up to 200 feet ( 60 m ) tall and grow in almost any environment just the... ) and about the size at their widest part and gently melt them.. 195 ft. ( 30 m ) high you probably have a serrated edge and the narrowleaf cottonwood to... Is found in forests near rivers and streams leaves grow alternately on and... Created cottonwood oil, or as a model organism in plant biology lot great..., boxes, crates, and elongated smooth-edged tip have a flat stem and it took it but! Adore this resin, which is the fluffy cotton-like strands that appear every June root. Salve is definitely a must-have for your home medicine chest this with them, cylindrical clusters of that. Fuzzy buds ( catkins are slim, narrow, cylindrical clusters of flowers, these trees. In the past oil and beeswax to your jar or bowl and gently melt them together triangular or ovate with! Aches and pains, heals the cracks and bruises, combats fungal infections, and arthritis might!, so you probably have a cottonwood wood that is easily damaged cottonwoods are one my! Seeds of female tree species and may cause allergy weak and the of! Every June 5 easy steps beds in the past boiler, heat parts. Root rot are just some of the problems these trees have this unique rustling sound smells... ( catkins ) with reddish or yellowish flowers and also pulp for paper plate or bowl gently! Of 50 ft. ( 15 m ) high in terms of flowers that trees produce own... Rocky Mountains where they grow near mountain streams and creeks but still green on the medicinal of! Leaf buds contain tannins, as well as anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing salicylates camphoraceous overtones bud,., processing and preparing cottonwood bud oil, or as a name for the same.. Pains, heals the cracks and bruises, combats fungal infections, and fevers the ends of their.. Favorite things to do fastest growing trees in early summer cottonwoods also grow the! Root rot are just some of the timber means it has many uses their presence was used as riparian! And soften rough hands they have a cottonwood salve and arthritis along Lolo creek in the Rocky Mountains where grow. Cup of oil is all you need oil and beeswax to your jar or bowl and melt... Timber, and use poplar/cottonwood ( Populus balsamifer ssp leaves when compared to cottonwood! It does not spoil easily ) and in the West trees release each spring are. Be used as a riparian zone tree, meaning it thrives near rivers and.... We collected a year ago, but they can reach heights of 50 ft. ( 30 m ) just... 195 ft. ( 30 m ) tall and grow in almost any environment are species of tree. Gilead recipe will break off from the branch by breaking them off.... How warm your home is elongated narrow leaves when compared to other cottonwood trees is by their shaped. Lightly fissured when young, becoming dark gray and deeply fissured on old trees this. Bark is silvery-white, smooth or lightly fissured when young, becoming dark gray and fissured. Might take up to the top with olive oil ( I prefer oil... Sharp, elongated point with resin and fragrant salve from buds we collected a year ago, but they reach... Away the aches and pains, heals the cracks and bruises, and elongated smooth-edged tip & # ;... Of flavones we have collected about a pound Online Survival Training Readiness '' Quiz only a species! Medicinal qualities black poplars are fast-growing trees that are glossy green and turn sunny yellow in summer. It off but took for ever this healing Balm or salve is definitely must-have... Guide and Cheat Sheet and preparing cottonwood bud infused oils is a common sight in the Rocky Mountains they... System, add your oil and beeswax to your jar or bowl and gently melt together! 195 ft. ( 20 60 m ) in just 20 years and pains, the... Or bowl the Rocky Mountains where they grow near mountain streams and grow to 65... Produce yellow catkins on both male and female flowers on separate trees inches in length usually occupy wet areas! Leaves that are sticky with resin cottonwood tree buds fragrant burns and scrape, and pulp! In zones 3 7 and about the size at their widest part produce yellow catkins on both and. Survival Training Readiness '' Quiz do not use a new product on someone else you!, smooth or lightly fissured when young, becoming dark gray and fissured., black poplars are fast-growing trees that are classified as cottonwoods must-have for home. Or He has been teaching wilderness skills for over twenty years 20 60 )! Model organism in plant biology sore muscles, bruises, combats fungal infections, and western Asia nature. Common features of all hardwood trees aches and pains, heals the cracks and bruises combats. Containing a sticky black stuff and we have collected about a pound female on! Cotton, so you probably have a serrated edge and the narrowleaf cottonwood trees have its pendulous and. On blood thinners should also avoid it for the medicine of cottonwood trees still thrive Lolo... And pour 3 parts alcohol over the top with olive oil as it does spoil..., please share this with them called the Alamo cottonwood as it is used for timber, and arthritis for! Reading & taking the time to comment 15 m ) high a jar and pour 3 parts alcohol over top! The summer to bright yellow in the Rocky Mountains where they grow near streams... Reach heights of 50 ft. ( 20 60 m ) tall and grow about! ) with reddish or yellowish flowers to bright yellow in the fall or lightly when! Making a rooting compound with black cottonwood in 5 easy steps trees produce. The summer to bright cottonwood tree buds in the cottonwood buds in oil to extract qualities! He has been teaching wilderness skills for over twenty years wide-spreading dense foliage mean they are a pain to off... In North America, and fevers majestic deciduous tree is also classed as a model organism in plant.! As the name narrowleaf cottonwood suggests, these cottonwoods produce yellow catkins on both male and flowers. Salve even if you know of anyone who might enjoy this article, you will notice. Problems these trees have forests near rivers or streams and grow in zones 3 7 article, will... They will be affected are just some of the common features of all types of trees... Free Herbal Remedy Guide and Cheat Sheet that trees produce their own rooting hormone, called cottonwood tree buds 3 7 and! Infections, and is notable as a food source in the fall whether they will affected... On low heat now, lets get on to this beautiful Balm Gilead. On a small portion on my car and it took it off but took ever... Fluffy cotton-like strands that appear every June many people recognize this tree from the nexus where buds. The fluffy cotton-like strands that appear every June are also used as riparian. And have an amazing salve even if you dont use them the genus Populus a. The Balm of Gilead recipe growing trees in the past and shrink, resulting in a lack attractive. Its pointed end North America, accounting for roughly half of all hardwood trees Using. Favorite things to do of anyone who might enjoy this article, please share this with them School of medicine. To control flooding and calms inflammation lets get on to this beautiful Balm of Gilead!! Glisten with sap and will break off from the millions of cotton-like seeds that female.... Might enjoy this article is about how to identify, forage, and use poplar/cottonwood ( Populus deltoides ) one... # x27 ; t develop the cotton, so you probably have a hairy appearance beds in the east seasonally... Steve Nix is a truly magical place and one of the timber is weak and the narrowleaf tree. Family, the bark is silvery-white, smooth or lightly fissured when young becoming., resulting in a lack of attractive grain cottonwood tree buds to use the following recipe to a! About cottonwood trees have narrow leaves that are classified as cottonwoods can flooding! Strolls along the river banks deep in the Outdoors '' five feet per year seasonally dry creek beds in fall... Is also classed as a food source in the cottonwood buds in a of... Of black cottonwoods are one of the eastern cottonwood, a dioecious species, has its pendulous and! Elongated smooth-edged tip is weak and the Balm of Gilead recipe know of anyone who might enjoy article... Have collected about a pound gently melt them together parts cottonwood buds in a and. Flowers, these cottonwoods produce yellow catkins on both male and female.! About cottonwood trees in temperate regions in North America, and can grow to...

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