The Plains Cottonwood or Populus deltoides ssp.
monilifera (or syn:Populus deltoids var.
occidentalis ) is found from Texas to southern Manitoba and
west along the river valleys into Alberta. It is the largest tree
species in Manitoba. At least a couple of southern municipalities
have claimed the largest tree in Manitoba.
- Portage la Prairie claims a tree located 18 km south-east of
town. This magnificent single-stemmed giant is 37 m high, 6.6 m in
circumference at 1.4 m above the ground, and estimated that it has
dominated its habitat on the Assiniboine River for over 250 years
(Allen, Mike,Prairie Garden: Annual, 2003 issue,
http://www.communityprofiles.mb.ca/cgi-
bin/csd/index.cgi?id=4609024).
- Franklin also boasts having the largest tree in Manitoba. This
Cottonwood tree is located 13 kilometres east of Dominion City, and
is found on the banks of the Roseau River. Measuring over 6 meters
in circumference and 9 meters at its base, this beautiful piece of
history is approximately 300 years old!
(http://www.communityprofiles.mb.ca/cgi-bin/csd/index.cgi?id=4602025)
Winnipeg's largest tree is also a Plains Cottonwood and is
located on public lands by the Seine River off John Bruce Road. It
consists of three very large stems reaching a height of 32 m and a
whopping circumference of 11.5 m at 0.5 m above the ground. The
spread or diameter of this tree's crown is almost 34 m (Allen,
Mike, Prairie Garden: Annual, 2003 issue). Several other
communities in Winnipeg also claim the largest Cottonwood including
West Gate, Wolsely, West Kildonan, St. Boniface (Whittier Park),
and Norwood.
I think it is interesting to note that the Cottonwood is a
pioneer species that is quite intolerant of competition. There are
very few sapling or young cottonwoods in Winnipeg. Most of the
trees that I have found are likely 80-100 years (or more) old. The
questions I have are: will these huge trees start to become less
common in Winnipeg? What happened around the turn of the last
century that started the cottonwoods growing? Why are there so few
young trees in Winnipeg?
In answer to these we have to look back in time. There was
extensive clearing of river banks along the Red and Assiniboine in
the late 1800s and early 1900s to provide wood for fuel
(steamships/heating) and building. The deforested river banks
provided good conditions for cottonwoods to flourish. Since the
early/mid 1900s there has been extensive regrowth along the river
banks by elm, maple, ash, and other species and the intolerant
cottonwoods have not found a place to grow.
This cache is hidden in the base of an old cottonwood. The stump
is still several meters tall and 8.7m around. During the summers in
the late 1970s I spent a number of years working at La Barriere
Park & Amisk teaching canoeing and camping skills to kids. Over
the first couple of years we would paddle by this tree and be
amazed at its size. I did not have much opportunity to wander along
the Seine River, through Norwood along the Red, or the trails of
Beaudry park. I didn't know that this was actually a smaller
example of this species of tree around Winnipeg.
Sometime during the second summer of teaching the tree was
struck by lightning, dealing it a death blow. It continued, for a
few years, to struggle and put on some green leaves but eventually
the heart-rot and damage was too much and the tree succumbed. That
was well over 20 years ago and each year a little less of the tree
remains.
Pay tribute to the Plains Cottonwood by trying to reach this old
tree by canoe. Imagine, if you would, a young canoeist looking up
at a huge tree from the middle of the river. Dappled light
filtering through the leaves, providing a cool shade and a stopping
place during an outing on the river.
During the spring and after heavy rains the Cottonwood stands in
the river. By early June it will usually be on the bank but very
muddy. During mid summer & fall paddling to this point might be
difficult because of low water levels. Motor boats are not allowed
on this river so you are limited to the canoe. The distance down
the river is 1.6km and it is an easy paddle. The terrain is rated
(by reviewer) as 5 because access is by canoe - I started lower
figuring that everyone had a canoe. Getting the cache once you get
to the tree will be a difficult since it was placed when the river
was still near flood stage. It may appear to that you can access
across land but you would have to cross private property without
permission. During the winter or after a long dry spell when the
river is too shallow to paddle you can get close by going in along
Camp Amisk ski/walking trail (crossing river is still required).
Even through the winter the ice remains thin near the cache, it is
not deep but you can still get wet so becareful. If you do go in
through the camp do not drive (even if the gate is open), you might
get locked in or asked to leave. Respect any Scouting events going
on in the camp.