Black cottonwood
Populus trichocarpa
Black cottonwood is a large riparian poplar with bright leaves, quick growth, and a strong association with wet ground and open sky.
Black cottonwood moves and shimmers in wind, making it one of the more visibly dynamic deciduous trees in the region. It is best understood as a large-site tree whose greatest value comes from scale, habitat, and regional character near moist soils rather than from compact garden performance.