Tree with narrow, conical crown of slender, upright branches and with resinous, balsam-scented buds. Leaves 2-5 in (5-13 cm) long, 0.5-1 in (1.2-2.5 cm) wide. Height: 50 ft (15 m). Diameter: 1.5 ft (0.5 m).
Moist soils along streams in mountains; with willows and alders in coniferous forests.
Mountains from southern Alberta and extreme southwestern Saskatchewan south to Trans-Pecos Texas and California; also northern Mexico; at 3,000-8,000 ft (914-2,438 m).
This is the common cottonwood of the northern Rocky Mountains. It is easily distinguishable from related species by the narrow, short-stalked, willowlike leaves.
