Eastern Cottonwood - Populus deltoides

Every year during late May, the cottonwood trees spread their seeds through the wind. This process can be so intense that it appears to be snowing, and piles of fluffy, white seeds pile up everywhere! This photo shows what the leaves look like in the autumn, once they have fallen off the trees.

Habitat: We have a LOT of cottonwood trees in my town. This photo was taken on the bank of a river, which was crowded with sycamore and cottonwood leaves.