Populus deltoides - Evergreen Trees Direct

Populus deltoides

Name: Populus deltoides
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
SKU: POPDEL40cm/45L
Price: 9300.00 AUD
Availability: OutOfStock

$250.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 40cm/45L

1000L 75L 40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: Enquire within for height guide information.
75L: Enquire within for height guide information.
1000L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Populus deltoides

Populus deltoides, known as the Eastern Cottonwood, is a fast-growing, large deciduous tree native to North America. Its broad, spreading canopy and rapid growth make it ideal for large landscapes, screening, avenues, and windbreaks, though its size limits use in smaller gardens or hedges.

The tree typically reaches up to 25 meters tall with a wide 15–20 meter spread. Leaves are bright green, triangular, and sizable (10–20 cm), providing lush summer shade. Small greenish flowers appear in early spring before leaf-out.

Eastern Cottonwood adapts to diverse soil types—including wet or swampy areas—and tolerates drought once established. It thrives in full sun but can handle some shade, and withstands air pollution, making it suitable for urban and rural planting alike.

Maintenance is minimal but regular pruning to remove dead wood helps keep the tree healthy. It prefers moist soils but is resilient during dry spells.

Perfect for large open spaces where a fast-growing, shade-providing tree with strong presence is needed.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Populus deltoides is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 20m - 30m Approximately

Mature Width: 15 – 20 meters

Populus deltoides is expected to grow Approx. 1 – 1.5 meters per year.

Frost Tolerance

Is Populus deltoides frost tolerant?

Populus deltoides is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Flowering Information

Populus deltoides produces long, pendent catkins in early spring, with males displaying yellow pollen-bearing tassels and females producing greenish seed catkins. Though not ornamental, the fluffy cotton-like seeds released later in the season are a distinctive natural feature.

Native Information

Is Populus deltoides an Australian Native? No

Populus deltoides is Native to North America, where it grows naturally along rivers, floodplains, and moist lowlands from Canada through the United States to Mexico.

Wildlife Value

Its catkins provide early-season pollen for bees, while the seeds are eaten by small birds. The broad, fast-growing canopy offers excellent shade, shelter and nesting habitat for a variety of bird species, and the rough trunk and fallen leaf litter support insects and microfauna in riparian and large landscape plantings.

Sunlight Information

Populus deltoides will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preffered Soil

Populus deltoides performs best in moist, well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It thrives in deep, fertile ground but may struggle in compacted, alkaline or very dry soils unless improved with organic matter to enhance moisture retention and structure. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then maintain deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support vigorous growth, strong root development and a full, healthy canopy.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Eastern Cottonwood

Genus: Populus

Botanical Species: deltoides

Family: Salicaceae

Botanical Name: Populus deltoides

Landscape Uses

Shade Tree
Rural Property Planting
Windbreak

Populus deltoides works in an:

Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Planting, Spacing & Care

Planting Tips: Ensuring a Strong Start

Site Selection: Choose a full sun location with moist, well-drained soil.

Digging the Hole: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper.

Planting: Ensure the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill with native soil and water deeply.

Mulching: Apply a 5–7cm mulch layer around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, keeping mulch away from the trunk.

Watering: Water regularly during establishment, then reduce frequency once established.

Hedging & Screening:Not suitable due to deciduous habit.

Feature Tree:Plant 8 m – 10 m apart for shade and structure.

Avenue Planting Trees:Space 10 m – 15 m apart for stately, large-scale avenues.

Caring for Your Populus deltoides

Watering: Water deeply once a week during establishment, then reduce as needed.

Fertilizing: Apply a slow-release fertilizer in early spring to encourage rapid growth.

Pruning: Remove dead or weak branches in late winter to maintain structure.

Pest & Disease Monitoring: Generally resistant, but watch for aphids, leaf spot, and cankers.

How to Grow in Different Soil Types

Populus deltoides prefers moist, well-drained soil but adapts to various conditions:

Sandy Soil: Retains less moisture—add organic matter to improve water retention.

Clay Soil: Can be compacted—loosen with compost and gypsum for better aeration.

Loamy Soil: Ideal for strong root development and rapid growth.

Acidic or Alkaline Soil: Tolerates a wide pH range, making it highly adaptable.

Populus deltoides is expected to grow Approx. 1 – 1.5 meters per year.

Fast Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Ideal Conditions

Inland QLD (Darling Downs, Central QLD)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal
Adelaide Hills & Barossa

Thrives in

Full Sun
Part Shade

Frost Tolerance

Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Drought Tolerance

As a young tree it requires regular watering, and once established Eastern Cottonwood offers moderate drought tolerance. It grows rapidly in moist, well-drained soils, but can withstand short dry periods when supported with deep, occasional watering. Consistent moisture encourages stronger growth and fuller canopy development.

Flowering Information

Does Populus deltoides flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Catkin-like

Flower Colour:

White

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Eastern Cottonwood fast-growing? A: Yes, Eastern Cottonwood is known for its rapid growth, with a growth rate of up to 1-2 meters per year.

Q: Does Eastern Cottonwood have any pest or disease problems? A: Eastern Cottonwood is susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, including leaf spot, cankers, and borers.

Q: Can Eastern Cottonwood be pruned into a hedge? A: No, Eastern Cottonwood is not recommended for use as a hedging tree due to its rapid growth and large size.

Q: When is the best time to plant Eastern Cottonwood? A: The best time to plant Eastern Cottonwood is in early spring or fall, when temperatures are cool and rainfall is plentiful.

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