Fremont Cottonwood is the dominant riparian tree of the arid Southwest, forming critical gallery forests along desert rivers and streams from Utah to Baja California. These cottonwood-willow galleries are among the most biodiverse habitats in the American West, supporting over 150 breeding bird species. The trees are under severe pressure from water diversion, groundwater pumping, and invasive tamarisk competition. Restoration of Fremont cottonwood gallery forests is a major conservation priority across the Southwest.
Habitat
Desert river floodplains, stream banks, and canyon bottoms across the arid Southwest from Utah to California and Baja California.
Diet
Foliage eaten by beavers, deer, and many insects; gallery forests are the highest-quality bird habitat in the arid West.
How common
Common
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