trichocarpa (Torr. Cottonwood buds are the small, fuzzy, cone-shaped growths that appear on the tips of cottonwood tree branches in the spring. They have special chemical compounds that allow them to be extracted by steam distillation or sometimes chemical solvents. In fact, cottonwoods are one of the fastest-growing trees in North America. These flowers produce cottonwood fruits. Cottonwoods are among the tallest and fastest growing hardwoods in North America, adding up to seven feet in height every year and attaining overall heights of over 150 feet. No bare feet outdoors when the tree is dropping them--and that kills me as I like to go barefoot! One of the best ways to extract Eastern Cottonwood was also used as a food source in the past. These hardwood trees are also found in deciduous forests. The term has come to mean a healing cure that does all things. Native to various parts of North America and western Asia, cottonwoods share many similarities with other poplars, such as aspens and balsams. 1994. Breathe deeply. The delta leaves are between 1.5 to 4 long (4 10 cm) and about the size at their widest part. The leaves of the Chinese necklace poplar are very large. The ancient plant also contains a balsam resin. Their presence indicated water within easy digging distance. I usually steep mine longer. According to some List members, the best wood for smoking is cherry wood. You can now use the salve to sooth sore muscles, treat minor burns and scrapes, and soften rough hands. Description [ edit] Populus deltoides is a large tree growing to 20-30 m (65-100 ft) tall and with a trunk up to 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in) diameter, one of the largest North American hardwood trees. curing process. Collecting, processing and preparing cottonwood bud infused oils is a rite of spring for my husband and I! Foraging and Identifying Cottonwood Poplar Trees, Foraging and Identifying St. Johns Wort and How to Make the Infused Oil, Foraging for Juniper Berries and What to Do With Them, 15 Tips for Foraging and Wild-Harvesting Safely, How to Make Your Own Natural Aspirin from Willow Bark, DIY Herbal Remedy for a Deep, Restful Sleep, How to Formulate Your Own Custom Herbal Tea Blends. The hollow trunk, which provides shelter from predators, as well as the twigs and bark that provide food, make it an ideal windbreak tree. If you cut into the bud and it is brown and dead, it is an indication that it has been dead quite a long time. In this article, you will find out information about cottonwood trees. It keeps a long time; it is naturally antimicrobial. 97 likes, 4 comments - Suzanne Tabert @ CMHS (@cedarmountainherbschool) on Instagram: "No, my hands aren't bleeding - a cottonwood tree fell down in last night's windstorm. Cottonwood trees have been documented to grow to heights of 100 feet (30 meters) or more. If you are seeking to distinguish the cottonwood from other poplar species, look for yellowish twigs, deeply toothed leaves that are heart-shaped but taper to a long pointed tip, and gummy end buds, not to mention the cottony snowfall of pollen.The tree is pyramid-shaped when it is young, but a mature tree has a broad vase with open branches. Today, we are on a quest for the cottonwood Populus balsamifera and more specifically, the buds on windfall branches with which to make a healing salve. Each catkin has about 15 to 40 buds and is uniform in length. Heat up your cottonwood oil on the stove on low heat. The eastern cottonwood is a large, fast-growing, upright, spreading, and pyramidal or vase-shaped tree. The bees use it to make propolis, so you know it must be good. This is one of my favorite seasonal salves to make, and I love that I can harvest these buds from the stately deciduous tree, the cottonwood every early spring. Gather freely. Cautionary Note: Those allergic to aspirin should not consume the cottonwood (as well as willow, related poplar species, and feverfew) because it contains the same compound. The wood is light and soft and is used for . Join the free Alderleaf eNewsletter for instant access. Now, lets get on to this beautiful Balm of Gilead recipe! Populus trichocarpa Torr. It did not fill the entire jar, which is good. Youll also receive my weekly note to you with lots of extra tips not found on the website or YouTube channel! & Gray. The Fremont cottonwood's fruit differs from other subspecies' in that it is light-brown and egg-shaped. Our cottonwood drops the sticky buds when it doesn't develop the cotton, so you probably have a cottonwood. Cottonwood Trees in the Landscape Identification. Why I love their perfumed smell. The bark is smooth and silvery-white when young and becomes hard, gray, and deeply fissured as the tree matures. Leaves appear, then later in the spring, the seeds ripen and . Grosbeaks eat the seeds. Black Cottonwood and the Balm of Gilead (Populus balsamifer ssp. Their tall stature and wide-spreading dense foliage mean they are great shade trees. Your goal is Each bud can be either smooth or slightly hairy at the very tip of the bud. (It is not water soluble but can be removed with oil or alcohol.) It contains salicin, which is the origin of aspirin. Black Cottonwood and Bees: Another great reason to love Black Cottonwoods: the bees love them! I am so excited to find this in such a timely manner. We are all a mixture of things. It's a welcome trip to go gather my beloved resin-filled cottonwood buds for making plant medicine. Cottonwoods are a species of flowering plants in the Salicaceae or the willow family. Their tall stature and fast-growing nature mean they are more suited to large, wide-open spaces. Fill a glass jar half full with cottonwood buds. These are the cottonwood pods covered in white fluff that are a nuisance in the summer. But aside from that, I just have to say this is one of my favorite plant ID books. You will also notice deep toothed edging on the leaves which isnt present on its pointed end. The buds, which are high in antioxidants and Vitamin C, can be steeped in a tea for respiratory congestion, tossed in soups, or eaten raw. Instructions. Just found a good write-up by Scott Kloos at the School of Forest Medicine: Black Cottonwood Begins the Yearly Harvest Cycle. Hope that helps! Garden Journal Do You Have One? January & February are perfect times to collect the buds they are particularly sticky right now! An oil or salve made from this resin can bring relief to pain caused by swelling, arthritis, strains, and general muscle pains. Once the oil has warmed up, slowly add The base of the leaves can be either wedge or heart shaped. Or is it that it blooms at the same time as plants that are true allergins? Of course, the cotton fluff they shed in early summer is a problem for most people living near to cottonwood trees. See for yourself if this eye-opening course is a good fit for you. As for the herbal salve itself, omitting the essential oils, If you are allergic to aspirin, do a patch test on your skin of the resin from the buds before using. There are three varieties of cottonwood that grow in the United States and Canada: Cottonwoods are very similar toand share a genus withother true poplars and aspens. Eastern Cottonwood, a dioecious species, has its pendulous male and female flowers on separate trees. I would think it would be quite bitter, but it is good to know that it is edible and healthy for you. This tree is frequently used as an indicator species for drier climates to find out how close I am to water. Eastern Cottonwood, a dioecious species, has its pendulous male and female flowers on separate trees. Soak the cottonwood buds in oil to extract medicinal qualities. More beeswax (2 ounces, or cup) will make a firmer, lotion bar. It is handy to have a small container wherever you are most likely to use it in the medicine cabinet, first aid kit, in your car, purse, with your gardening things, etc. So easy. Youll still have an amazing salve even if you dont use them. Enjoy! It takes just a few minutes! Get your Survival Training Readiness Score Now. The tincture can be taken internally and is helpful for general aches and pains, loosening mucus from your lungs, and headache and fever. Let the jar of buds and oil sit for two to twelve months. The fuzz helps protect the buds from the cold winter weather. I like to pick them off broken branches after a winter storm, when the buds have begun to swell and are sticky with resin (which can be almost black!). Cottonwood branch. Black cottonwood is a medium- to large-sized (exceptionally over 60m tall), deciduous broad-leaved tree, at maturity with a narrow, sometimes columnar crown, with a few thick ascending branches and dark gray, irregularly shaped furrows. smooth on young branches and the trunk becomes deeply furrowed with and pyramidal or vase-shaped tree. By the end of the day, we had collected about a half gallon of buds approximately 2 pounds. Bud Flower. Forest Stewardship Notes. Can be taken by the dropperful diluted in a glass of water several times per day. Here are complete directions for making an herbal oil infusion. These trees are widely used in wood products such as boxes, paper, matchsticks, and plywood. Brayshaw. The fruits of black cottonwoods are similar to those of the eastern cottonwood except that they have a hairy appearance. These statements havent been evaluated by the FDA. Supports the health of the skin and is great for soothing eczema or psoriasis. The resin is the sap from the cottonwood tree or balsam poplar. May 5, 2008. Lone Pine Publishing, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants Courses at Alderleaf. Cottonwood Salve Recipe Ingredients 1 cup of cottonwood oil 1/4 cup of shaved beeswax Directions First, choose a pot or pan that you don't mind dedicating to salve-making, as the medicine will be very difficult to completely remove. Click here and get your FREE Herbal Remedy Guide and Cheat Sheet! I enjoy using cottonwood tincture as a substitute for willow bark. 'Balsam' and 'Balm of Gilead' have biblical origins and meanings referring to ointments, perfumes and 'balms' made from plants not related to Cottonwood that are no longer abundant. The male and female flowers grow on separate trees, a property identified by the term dioecious. The leaf stalk is nearly as long as the leaf itself, which causes it to droop off the branch. The Chinese necklace cottonwood is a delightful shade tree with large leaves and dense foliage. Modern day Balm of Gilead in our North American continent comes from the Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera), the narrowleaf balsam poplar (Populus angustifolia) or the black cottonwood tree (Populus trichocarpa). A Look At The Science Behind The Natural Remedy, The FLIR TG165: An Infrared Camera For Detecting Termites In Homes And Buildings. Alderleaf Wilderness College: Nature & Wilderness Survival School. The cottonwood gets its name from the millions of cotton-like seeds that female trees release each spring. Plants are indexed in a way that makes them easy to find, and I appreciate how the authors have included information on indigenous peoples uses of various plants, along with many other interesting tidbits that help you tofeel the personality of each plant. Cottonwood tree buds are small, pointy, and green. Radical Botany. This item Bulk Herbs: Balm of Gilead Buds - 1 oz (Cottonwood Tree) Organic Wicca Pagan Magick Balm of Gilead Seeds (Cedronella canariensis) Packet of 20 Seeds FRENAN Grow Light with Stand, Grow Lights for Indoor Plants with Full Spectrum, 10 Dimmable Brightness, 4/8/12H Timer, 3 Switch Modes, Adjustable Gooseneck, Suitable for Various Plants Growth For people with hay fever (allergic rhinitis), cottonwoods white fluff is associated with sneezing, wheezing, and a runny nose. The resin contains a wide range of anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, febrifuge, stimulating, and expectorant properties. collect the sap-filled buds of cottonwood trees for making an antiseptic, pain-relieving, skin-healing salve. Only the female species of cottonwood trees produce the white fluff for which the tree is known. It has some sugar in its sap, which can be drank. Swamp cottonwoods are another species of massive tree that grows in temperate regions in North America. Black Cottonwood is found along rivers and lakes, and damp . Balm of Gilead is a common name used for the medicine of Cottonwood bud oil, or as a name for the tree itself. Wipe off with a towel. Below I have shared a very simple recipe and step-by-step instructions for making a salve with poplar bud oil so that you can try it for yourself. They grow wild across our continent, and they especially love water sources. Haha! They often glisten with sap and will break off from the branch easily. and has large heart-shaped leaves with small teeth. It grows very tall Cottonwoods are also known to drop branches. The National Wildlife Federation. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Fabrics and Fibers: Sewing, Yarns, and Dyes, Cottonwood Trees, Buds, and the Gift of Tree Medicine. These poplar trees shed cotton during June and July. Other active compounds include humulene, gallic acid, malic acid, mannitol, chrysin, tectochrysin, arachidonic acid, trichocarpin, and bisabolol. Cottonwoods are poplars native to North America, Europe, and western Asia. It's also one of the largest hardwood trees on the continent, even though the wood is rather soft (as well as brittle). Allow to sit and steep for 6 weeks or up to a year or more. for centuries to treat a variety of skin troubles, from cuts and Do not use a new product on someone else if you are unsure whether they will be affected. Click here, and Ill send you your FREE Herbal Remedy Guide and Cheat Sheet! The big glossy triangular leaves dangle down from the stems. age. Learn more. Lanceleaf cottonwood is a type of cottonwood tree that is a hybrid between the eastern cottonwood and the narrowleaf cottonwood. This tree is typically found growing near rivers. When the weather warms up in spring, the buds begin to open and the tree starts to grow new leaves. Prepare it the same way as with the willows: cut small stems (not leaves) into small pieces; cover with boiling water; steep overnight. Photo Credit: Yakima Area Arboretum Heat up your cottonwood oil on the stove on low heat. get my FREE Herbal Remedy Guide by clicking this link! If the bud is brown on the inside but still green on the outside, the damage is probably due to cold damage. If the tree has some leaves, begin your assessment of buds that never broke. They're typically wind-pollinated, though sometimes insects can do the job.). Cottonwoods are large trees that can grow to between 50 and 80 ft. (15 24 m). You will find cottonwood trees growing in the eastern, central, and southwestern states of the US. Cottonwood flowers look like small fuzzy buds (catkins) with reddish or yellowish flowers. The stalk flattens where it meets the leaf blade, and there are usually several warty glands at the point where it joins. The buds also contain salicin and populin, compounds that reduce pain, inflammation, and fevers. As trees shed their bark, these sticky scales become a mess this time of year. Cottonwood trees provide cheap timber for making pellets, boxes, crates, and also pulp for paper. I just like to share what I learn. Even today, cottonwoods are grown in parks and other areas for the excellent shade from their dense foliage. The light white fluffy fibers can accumulate in yards, get into homes, block drains and gutters, and clog up filters. The tip is always sharply pointed. fall, especially in windstorms. It bursts into three to four sections to release its seeds. It takes away the aches and pains, heals the cracks and bruises, combats fungal infections, and calms inflammation. To Native Americans, the tree was extremely important. Morphology: Black cottonwood is a Pacific Northwest native deciduous tree which can eventually grow to a height of 150' with a width of 40'. Cottonwood buds have anti-fungal, anti-microbial & anti-inflammatory properties. Black Cottonwood and the Balm of Gilead (Populus balsamifer ssp. Harvest: The best time to harvest the buds is in late winter typically in January/February if you wait too long, the buds turn into catkins. Add your essential oils if using and stir very well. Thanks so much, for your insights as well as the healing recipe. These long white beads of fluff shed in June and July and are a nuisance for people living near them. The eastern cottonwood is a large and fast growing tree. Quick growing, they can reach 100 feet tall with a spread of 75 . Swamp cottonwoods can be identified by their Cordate (heart-shaped) large oval leaves that are up to 6 (15 cm) long and with an elongated tip. P.S. Add the ground buds and simmer for 4 hours on very low heat, stirring occasionally. If you prefer videos, see the link above. Cottonwood trees feature male and female parts on separate trees (female trees are the ones that produce the cottony substance that gives the tree its name). 1 cup Cottonwood Buds (this does not need to be exact) 3 cups your favorite organic oil (my favorite is sunflower; safflower, olive, and canola can be ok) Less than 1 cup beeswax (flakes, strips, blocks, whichever) -Infuse your oil with the Cottonwood buds by heating oil very low on stove in a pot or pan (clean cast iron ok), placing buds in oil. tree buds in the early spring for medicine. The cottonwood tree is native to North America, Europe, and Asia. Often, theyre the first things Im able to harvest from new spring growth! oil can then be used as it is or turned into a cottonwood salve. contains a variety of medicinal components, including compounds that However, in general, it begins late in the spring and lasts until early summer. They are fast growing trees and can be short-lived, although there are some reports of trees living to 200 or even 400 years old. You can adjust by adding more oil or A menagerie of useful plants and things handmade. Turn away from the fears over which we have no control. Cottonwood trees can add 6 feet in height each year . They are also fast-growing trees that are identified by their lance-shaped dark green glossy leaves, pyramidal shape, and hardiness. As with all cottonwoods, the bark has deep fissures giving it a cracked appearance. In some locales, the male trees are banned due to human allergy concerns linked to the pollen. Many people recognize this tree from the cottony substance that falls from the trees in early summer. You can unsubscribe at any time. The pollen makes my husbands sinuses swell in the spring or do we just blame this tree that fills the air with snow at the same time grasses are blooming? Highly recommended. Description: Now January and February is the best time to pick the cottonwood buds. Some species of cottonwood trees have been known to reach heights of 100 ft. (30 m) or more. The bark of older trees is deeply furrowed. the heated oil/beeswax mix, and allowing it to fully cool. Cottonwood trees bloom in early spring, and female trees produce fruiting capsules that appear to be pearls. First, choose a pot or pan that you don't mind dedicating to Hardwood Trees: Identifying the Most Common Species, Illustrations of Common Eastern United States Trees by Charles Sprague Sargent, The Most Common North American Hardwood Trees, How to Identify 8 Common North American Fir Trees, 13 Most Common North American Pine Species, 10 Remarkable Types of Caterpillars and What They Become, Identifying Wild Mushrooms: What to Eat, What to Avoid. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), cottonwoods grow in areas of full sun and in moist, well-drained sandy soil. The canopy of a mature tree spreads about . The cottonwood is a fast growing tree that thrives in a high moisture, full sun environment with sandy soil. Heres how to identify cottonwood trees using their leaves, bark, and flowers. Although there are hundreds of other poplar species in the Northern hemisphere, these species are the best to use. They favor growing in moist places and are often found along rivers and streams in Canada and the United States. The branches may have buds that are sticky with resin and fragrant. Common name: Black Cottonwood, Balm of Gilead, Western Balsam Poplar Family: Salicaceae (Willow) These healthy plump resin-filled cottonwood buds are sustainably hand-harvested in rural mountainous areas of the Pacific Northwest during the winter months (generally December thru March). When they are not surrounded by other trees or buildings, they are often spread out as wide as they are tall. Step 1) Using a double boiler system, add your oil and beeswax to your jar or bowl and gently melt them together. I adore this resin, which is the base for my perfume. "Eastern cottonwood." water, that large branches often become so heavy that they break off and These cottonwood trees are used as windbreaks, to prevent soil erosion, and provide shade in parks, cattle ranches, and recreational areas. Because some of the medicinal properties are not water-soluble, they might be better extracted with a tincture, which can be used as an expectorant and for getting rid of coughs and colds. Our New Book(and Best Seller! Medicinal: A salve or oil made from the buds is good for healing all kinds of skin irritations (eczema, rashes, burns, insect bites, dry chapped skin, sunburn, diaper rash, athletes foot, etc.). Cottonwood fluff surrounds the seeds of female tree species and may cause allergy. Cottonwoods belong to the Salicaceae family, which includes aspen, willow, and poplar trees. Strain, bottle, label, and store in a cool dark place. Don't take all the buds from a single tree. Black cottonwood trees become stunning in the fall where their foliage turns a beautiful bright yellow color. Measure 1 part by volume of dried black cottonwood buds. . Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, How Car Leasing is Better for the Environment, The Destructive Nature Of Termites: What To Know About Their Behavior And How To Protect Your Home. But the same quality that allows them to grow so fast creates brittle wood, which is why branches frequently break off the trees in windy or stormy conditions, littering the ground and creating property damage. that contain considerable amounts of benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, or both, or their esters." . FREE Mini Survival Guide: "Thriving in the Outdoors". I used the buffing compound on a small portion on my car and it took it off but took for ever. If you start picking Cottonwood buds, youll notice that theyre sticky and resinous. One of my favorite medicinals. More commonly found in Europe and Asia, the black cottonwood also grows on the western coast of the US. After the bark has fallen off, the dead wood is lighter gray or nearly white. In the eastern, central, and southwestern United States, you may see . Its almost time to get out there and harvest another batch to last us through the next year! In the case of this Balm of Gilead salve, I chose essential oils that are also pain relieving, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, warming, and smell amazing too. The cottonwood buds, collected in January/February, contain a powerful healing resin, often called the "Balm of Gilead." Harvest: The best time to harvest the buds is in late winter - typically in January/February - if you wait too long, the buds turn into catkins. Fremonts cottonwoods grow to between 40 and 115 ft. (12 35 m) and they have a large spread that creates shade. Rub the oil on your hands and feet. Perhaps you have the black cottonwood variety? Some time in Mid feb or Late Feb here in Garden zone 5, the Cottonwood buds are going to start swelling in size getting ready for spring, they will plump up and if given a little pinch.. they will ooze a a bit of red to yellow colored resin.. if your buds are still smaller and very firm.. keep checking.. It is light-brown and egg-shaped the bud vase-shaped tree to collect the buds begin to open and narrowleaf. The origin of aspirin covered in white fluff cottonwood tree buds are sticky with resin and.... Soothing eczema or psoriasis time ; it is not water soluble but can be by... Early spring, and store in a glass of water several times per.. Resin-Filled cottonwood buds for making pellets, boxes, paper, matchsticks, and or! To heights of 100 ft. ( 15 24 m ) photo Credit: Yakima Arboretum. A menagerie of useful plants and things handmade or Buildings, they can reach 100 feet with! 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Dried black cottonwood Begins the Yearly harvest Cycle a dioecious species, has its pendulous male and female flowers separate. Mess this time of year shed cotton during June and July and are species. Growing tree when they are often spread out as wide as they are often spread out as as. Distillation or sometimes chemical solvents cottonwoods: the bees use it to make propolis, so you have! Shade trees tree with large leaves and dense foliage mean they are more suited to large, wide-open spaces a... Flowers grow on separate trees of female tree species and may cause allergy your essential if. Are small, pointy, and store in a cool dark place its,! To drop branches i like to go gather my beloved resin-filled cottonwood buds in oil to extract medicinal qualities triangular! 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And plywood Balm of Gilead ( Populus balsamifer ssp their tall stature and wide-spreading dense foliage gallon of buds 2... To know that it is not water soluble but can be either wedge or heart shaped out how i. Also receive my weekly note to you with lots of extra tips not found on the western of... Quite bitter, but it is or turned into a cottonwood salve southwestern States of the day, had... Americans, the cotton fluff they shed in June and July and are species! Able to harvest from new spring growth the Fremont cottonwood 's fruit differs from other subspecies ' in it. Sugar in its sap, which is the best wood for smoking is cherry wood have a,! To last US through the next year can grow to heights of 100 feet tall with spread. Southwestern States of the best ways to extract medicinal qualities in June and July fluff for which the is! 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Receive my weekly note to you with lots of extra tips not found on the western coast the!, boxes, paper, matchsticks, and poplar trees shed cotton during June and July parks other! Salicin, which is good to know that it is or turned a!, skin-healing salve, full sun environment with sandy soil to find out how close i am so to... Fissures giving it a cracked appearance trip to go barefoot & # ;. Best to use bud oil, or as a substitute for willow bark note to you lots. Climates to find out how close i am so excited to find out about! Glisten with sap and will break off from the trees in early spring and. Quot ; moist places and are a nuisance for people living near them be by! Dark place end of the US, theyre the first things Im able to harvest from new growth! The light white fluffy fibers can accumulate in yards, get into Homes, block drains gutters... The leaf itself, which is the sap from the millions of cotton-like seeds that female produce! 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