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| This is a potentially very large tree with distinctive gray-white, coarsely ridged bark. The plants grow naturally in wet places, especially within river swamps and along lake margins, but are very adaptable to drier sites in cultivation. Ripe fruits split open in the spring releasing hundreds of tiny, dark seeds, each with a patch of cottony hairs attached to one end, allowing the seeds to drift widely in the air. The wood of this species is soft and rather weak, and so is not valuable for lumber. It can be a messy tree if used in open lawn areas dropping leaves, flowers, fruits, twigs and branches. Native to Eastern US, Florida and Texas to the Great Lakes. Fall color - pale yellow. |