How to Stop Production of Cotton in a Female Cottonwood Tree

Cottonwood trees are notorious for the huge amount of "cotton" produced in early summer. The cotton is the wind-borne carrier for the small seeds. It covers lawns and pools, as well as clogging car radiators and evaporative coolers. Only the female cottonwood tree produces cotton, so the proactive method of preventing cotton is to plant only male trees. However, most homeowners inherit the previous owner's choices in landscaping. Fortunately, there is a method of reducing the cotton shed by a cottonwood tree.

Call a tree service in early spring. Spraying a 40- to 80-foot-tall cottonwood tree is a job for a professional. Overspray from the herbicide will cause desirable shrubs, fruits and vegetables to drop blossoms.

Monitor the cottonwood tree to ensure that the tree service sprays it with an ethephon herbicide such as Florel while it is in bloom. Ethephon eliminates the blossoms before the cotton and seeds develop.

Hire a tree service to remove the cottonwood tree. Plant other types of trees or poplar hybrids that do not produce cotton.

Contact the local agricultural extension office for more information on cottonwoods and hybrid poplars.

Ensure that the tree service carries liability and worker's compensation insurance.

A licensed contractor such as a tree service should have a contract spelling out the terms of the services provided, the price and a completion date.

Do not breathe or allow the herbicide to touch your skin. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after exposure.

Do not hire a tree service that cannot provide proof of insurance or a contract.

Do not pay in advance for services not yet rendered. Deposits are often determined by state law.