cottonwood 'Purple Tower'

Cultivated for the very very rapid growth as a specimen tree; tolerates most soils except those that are constantly waterlogged and best in deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid growing within 40m of buildings as the vigorous root system may damage drains and foundations, particularly in clay soils and has the potential to become a nuisance

Pruning group 1 in late summer to avoid bleeding from pruning cuts, established trees need little pruning: sucker removal in autumn or winter

Propagate by hardwood cuttings in winter and suckers in autumn or late winter

Susceptible to various beetles, including willow leaf beetle, and caterpillars, which may eat the foliage or bore into the bark

Vulnerable to poplar bacterial canker, honey fungus, silver leaf, tree rusts and fungal leaf spots