Do cottonwood trees require alot of water?

Question

I am in Albq and I wanted to plant one on a drip system.

Answer 1

Yes they do require quite a bit of water especially when first planted. Their roots are invasive and will seek water from pipes. Be sure to plant them away from umm your pipes!

They do start to lose their leaves in early fall but is actually quite attractive in spring and summer.

If you purchase one be sure it is a "Cottonless Cottonwood tree".

Answer 2

Oh Yeah . In a natural setting seeing cottonwood trees is an indication of a water course .In a home environment I've seen their need for water raise heck on waste water pipes to the point where the pipes got so clogged with roots that they had to be dug up and replaced.

Answer 3

Yes they do. But why would you want to plant a cottonwood tree? They don't make very good shade trees because they loose their leaves pretty early and get their leaves a little late. They are well known for drawing lightning strikes. And if you ever cut one down that are good for little else than making them into cheap wood pallets or cheap wood boxes.

Answer 4

One of my favorite trees and the only native large tree here in the Dakotas. They need a lot of water when young, but once it's roots hit the water table they withstand even severe drought. In Albuquerque I doubt it could hit the water table. In your case the size of your tree would be determined by the size of your drip. If you plant one, plant a female not a seedless male. I like the cotton seeds, they pile up into knee high drifts in my yard. Like snow on the Fourth of July. Seedless male cottonwoods never get as big as the girls and are like seedless watermelon, no fun and nothing to spit. RScott

Answer 5

Yes, they prefer a high water table to grow naturally and will grow, but not well, in higher, drier areas.

Answer 6

Yes!! naturally you find them next to rivers. Weeping willows, too. Find something else.