Poplar fluff

Cottonwood trees and other poplars produce either male or female flowers on separate plants. The drooping catkins which emerge in early spring may be up to 10 cm long. The male flowers are reddish, and the female are greenish. Once pollinated, the female catkins produce small capsules that release seeds attached to a cottony fibre – hence the common name. This fibre floats the tiny seeds so they can spread in the wind. Some years cottonwoods put out a lot of this cottony fluff which is not great for those with allergies!

Control:

• You cannot prevent poplar fluff, especially in neighbourhoods with several poplar trees.
• If you don’t want the fluff and still like a fast-growing poplar make sure it is a male cultivar.  There are many to choose from that are hardy for the prairie provinces.