There are many cottonwood trees in my area of Colorado. Before they leaf out in the spring they appear twisted and gnarly. A few years ago I had to have the one in my backyard removed as it was old and dying. More information can be found here.
Mike's Look at Life
Photography, memoirs, random thoughts.
Mike's Look at Life 
Being the Kansas State Tree, Cottonwoods can be found almost anywhere, especially near water where they thrive. Many cities are outlawing them in new subdivisions and public properties due to the mess they leave when they seed out. I removed a large one from my yard a few years ago because it shed so much ‘cotton’ that it got into/onto everything: ac condenser, garage, house, on pets, and even in our vehicles when we opened the doors! I do miss the lovely leaves though, which sparkle in a breeze as the flutter.
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The lovely leaves are great until they fall and then it becomes quire the project to get them all cleaned up. My neighbor had a giant branch crash through his roof. When they get brittle they are a hazard.
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I agree.
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Waiting for them to leaf out here in Ouray County too. Where in Colorado are you?
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I’m in Greeley for the last 17 years. 20 years in Lakewood prior.
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A curious fact I learned from a Native friend – cottonwood fluff was gathered by native women as disposable absorbent for their infants’ “diapers” Even though I live in a high-rise apartment, fluff from the cottonwoods near the local river float by onto my balcony – snow-in-summer and remind me to go near the river to go on walks. These are beautiful trees, and it’s unfortunate people see them as a source of nuisance. Love this photo! G
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They are beautiful and the Native diaper thing……sounds like something someone could make up. They are only a nuisance when they shed leaves and fall through your roof.
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I love Colorado terrain! So beautiful! I wished I lived there! The Rockies are so gorgeous too! Hugz Lisa and Bear
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Drive your train here and we’ll take it all over Colorado. Yes?
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Sounds like a wonderful idea to me
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Amazing photo
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Thanks Marylou.
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Fascinating stories about this type of tree! Nice photo, too, Mike!
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Thanks Katie. Mine cost me plenty to have removed. Now I clean leaves in the fall from my neighbor’s huge cottonwood that drops leaves in my yard. I thought about killing him but I don’t want to be remembered as the “cottonwood killer”
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But no! The Cottonwood Killer has a wonderful ring to it. You must take action and claim the ignoble title for your very own. Your neighbour is definitely a goner now. 😊😊😊 (Putting in loads of smiley faces, least his future demise is traced back to me. Gotta have deniability. “It was just a joke, Judge! See?? 😊😊😊😊”).
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Glad you like the “cottonwood killer.” I will go to the gallows like a mad dog, foaming the mouth and eating a live chicken.
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Yep. Eating live chook tends to do that.
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I’ve been admiring the skeletal shapes of trees quite a lot this winter as I’ve been exploring a new area of the UK after our move last autumn. This is a great composition with a fantastic sky, Mike
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Thanks Andy. Discovery is the upside to moving …restaurants, photo ops, nature, etc. Have fun amigo.
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Sometimes trees are more beautiful when they are stark and bare, and we can more easily see their upward sweep and structure. 🙂
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I agree. Bare cottonwoods give off a Johnny Depp prop vibe, me thinks. Headless riders, and all of that.
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Wind rattling through cottonwoods is amazing…raking those leaves, not so.
Love the bare woods photo..those trees look like they are dancing
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Yes, you got it all. They are wonderfully bizarre looking when bare and when fully leafed out are gorgeous. Thanks for the great comment.
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There’s hardly a more lovely tree in the fall. Those leaves of gold!
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The fall here is a golden paradise. Not many reds, but an abundance of gold. Nice to hear from you.
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Beautiful!
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Thanks Adrian.
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