The Hillsborough Tree Board has selected an eastern cottonwood along the Eno River at Gold Park as a treasure tree. 

The eastern cottonwood, Populus deltoides, is rare in this part of the state. Also known as the necklace poplar, the tree is short-lived with a lifespan of 70-100 years but grows up to 100 feet in height.  

The tree’s leaves are toothed, deep green and broadly triangular, and the bark is dark grey and deeply fissured when adult. The smell of the buds is aromatic, and its oil is a natural pain reliever and reduces inflammation.  

“Eastern cottonwood gets its name from the cotton-like seeds produced by female trees,” said Justin Bennett, an urban forestry specialist for the North Carolina Forest Service. “These seeds blow in the wind similar to dandelion seeds.” 

The snowy white seeds disperse in the wind and water in June. 

The eastern cottonwood plays an important ecological role, thriving along riverbanks and stabilizing the soil. It also feeds the larvae of the Eastern tiger swallowtail and red-spotted purple butterflies. Beavers use the cottonwood for food and construction, and bald eagles prefer it as a nesting tree. 

In the western part of its range, the cottonwood provided critical shade for early pioneers, leading to its designation as the state tree of Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming. 

More information 

The Tree Board’s Treasure Trees Program is intended to create awareness of and give recognition to the preservation of significant trees in the Hillsborough area. See the Tree Board page for information on nominating a tree or for a brochure on a self-guided walk of treasure trees.