There are two growing on my mother's property and each spring I'm amazed by their beauty. You have to get up close to really appreciate just how lovely they are. Tubular, hanging flowers in a soft lilac with just the faintest fragrance make them a joy to behold.
Cottonwoods are widely grown for timber production along wet river banks, where their exceptional growth rate provides a large crop of wood within just 10–30 years. The wood is coarse and of fairly low value, used for pallet boxes, shipping crates and similar purposes where a cheap but strong enough wood is suitable.
The cottonwood is the state tree of Kansas.
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| The little red barn is where Sox gave birth to her six kittens. Today, two of the kittens' eyes were open! |
I almost missed sunset today because I was so busy planting tomato plants. Looked up just in time to capture this:
And in a short time the full moon:
These are busy days and nights. So much to do, see and enjoy. Hope yours was pleasant.
Cottonwood - so that's what those strange trees are. The blooms are otherworldly. Thanks for the information!
ReplyDeleteThey do look like something from another planet, don't they?
DeleteWonderful, wonderful article on cottonwood trees. So glad you got these pictures of them as these trees have been there long as we both remember. Also--the fragrance is so wonderful and sweet smelling - but sweet is what they are--sticky, sticky mess.
ReplyDeleteI hope they last as long as we do. That barnyard wouldn't seem the same without them.
DeleteWhat beautiful trees,those trumpet like flowers the colour so delicate. The name Cottonwood makes me think of the deep South of your country.
ReplyDeleteYour Lunar photos are very artistic. Ida
Our state, Alabama, was known as "The Cotton State" for all those years, until the motto was changed to "Alabama the Beautiful" some years ago. For marketing tourism, I'm sure. I much preferred the former name! Plus, I don't think we produce as much cotton crop as we once did.
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