This species, including varieties, is the common cottonwood at low altitudes along the Rio Grande and Colorado River and in the rest of the Southwest, as well as in California. Fremont Cottonwood grows only on wet soil and is an indicator of permanent water and shade. Easily propagated from cuttings, it is extensively planted in its range along irrigation ditches, and although it grows rapidly, it is short-lived. To this day, Hopi Indians of the Southwest carve cottonwood roots into kachina dolls, the representations of supernatural beings, that have become valuable collectors' items. Horses gnaw the sweetish bark of this species; beavers also feed on the bark and build dams with the branches. Greenish clumps of parasitic mistletoes are often scattered on the branches. Fremont Cottonwood is named for its discoverer, General John Charles Fremont (1813-90), politician, soldier, and explorer.

description Tree with broad, flattened, open crown of large, widely spreading branches.
Height: 40-80' (12-24 m).
Diameter: 2-4' (0.6-1.2 m).
Leaves: 2-3" (5-7.5 cm) long and wide. Broadly triangular, often broader than long, sharp-pointed, nearly straight at base; with coarse, irregular, curved teeth; thick, hairless; leafstalks long, flattened. Shiny yellow-green; turning bright yellow in autumn.
Bark: gray, thick, rough, deeply furrowed.
Twigs: light green, stout, hairless.
Flowers: catkins 2-3 1/2" (5-9 cm) long; reddish; male and female on separate trees; in early spring.
Fruit: about 1/2" (12 mm) long; egg-shaped capsules, light brown, hairless; maturing in spring, splitting into 3 parts; many cottony seeds.

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