Cottonwood
Winter’s Balm, First Medicine, Water Keeper. As I walk along the river I notice giant cottonwood trees towering above the tops of the alder and the big leaf maple. Luckily, a windstorm has knocked down large branches with swollen buds, making my work easy. These are the prize I am after. As I squish the buds, a reddish resin sticks to my fingers. It has a strong fragrance all it’s own – reminiscent of pine and honey. This resin contains a medicine that eases pain and heals damaged skin. Other names: Black Cottonwood, Balm of Gilead, Populus trichocarpa Identifying Cottonwood: This massive...
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