Cottonwood trees ( Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa, P. deltoides and B. fremontii ) have a love-hate relationship with people. Some people are allergic to them, had fire damage because of them, or simply have to sweep a lot more. But then they are also thought of as sacred, useful and even a bit edible tree. Not the “cotton” though, so don’t get a head of me. [ No … come back here ! ] They are more than just the mismatched name. These trees are quietly special; v
