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Check these first
- Check the soil moisture at a depth of 6 inches.
- Inspect the undersides of leaves for signs of cottonwood leaf beetle damage.
- Test the soil pH level.
Likely causes
Drought stress
PossibleHow to tell: Leaves turn yellow and may drop early during extended dry periods. The soil around the base will feel dry and cracked.
What to do: Water the tree deeply once every 7 to 14 days. Ensure the water reaches 12 to 18 inches into the soil to support the deep root system.
Chlorosis
PossibleHow to tell: Leaves turn yellow while the veins remain green. This often happens in soils with a high pH that prevents iron uptake.
What to do: Test your soil pH and aim for a range of 6.0 to 7.0. Apply a chelated iron supplement if a deficiency is confirmed by a soil test.
Find out what's wrong with your eastern cottonwood
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
Be concerned if the yellowing spreads rapidly across the entire canopy. It is normal for some older inner leaves to yellow and fall in late summer.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain consistent soil moisture with deep watering and mulch the base to keep roots cool.
Eastern Cottonwood: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your eastern cottonwood and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Will yellow leaves turn green again?
- No, once a leaf has turned yellow, it will not return to green. Focus on keeping the remaining foliage healthy.
- Should I fertilize a tree with yellow leaves?
- Only fertilize if a soil test confirms a nutrient deficiency. Adding fertilizer to a stressed tree can sometimes make the problem worse.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Eastern Cottonwood
Back to the Eastern Cottonwood guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.