Giant Eastern Cottonwood Tree, Inman, South Carolina.
Common Name: Eastern Cottonwood, Scientific Name: Populus Deltoides
Today you are going to visit one of the largest trees in upstate South Carolina,
and THE largest Eastern Cottonwood in the entire state of South Carolina!
I encourage you to post a PHOTO of yourself and/or your group with the tree in the photo.
Fellow cacher MSWahoo (who works with Bartlet Tree Research Labs) helped me measure this tree and we found it IS champion-sized. In February, 2010, we submitted it for consideration to Champion (Big) Trees of South Carolina http://www.clemson.edu/public/champtree/ as the largest Eastern Cottonwood in South Carolina, as it was at least a co-champion with the current South Carolina record-holder in Edgefield County.
As of March 27, 2012, it has been certified by the CHAMPION (BIG)TREES of SOUTH CAROLINA as THE LARGEST EASTERN COTTONWOOD in South Carolina!
This is a champion-size Eastern Cottonwood tree growing in Inman, South Carolina. Cottonwoods generally do not grow to this size in this area. You are indeed fortunate as it is quite rare to see one this size anywhere. I was truly amazed when I first saw it.
According to Mr. Jim Everhart, a life-long resident of Inman, "I was born in 1924 and as a boy I remember the tree being very big even then. I remember that there used to be a hog farm there then and they used that large, low limb on the side of the tree that the shelter is on to string up the hogs for slaughter".
Eastern cottonwoods, plains cottonwoods, and other true species of cottonwoods are magnificent trees, especially when allowed to reach their full, unrestricted growth potential, as is the case here. The Eastern Cottonwood is one of the largest eastern hardwoods, capable of towering up to 100 feet high, and having massive trunks over 5 feet in diameter. On average, cottonwood trees have a 70 year lifespan, but some, such as this tree, can grow much older. Cottonwoods are the fastest-growing commercial forest species in North America. Cottonwoods grow best on moist well-drained soils near streams and lakes. Although they grow best around a source of water, they can tolerate dry soils if grown in dry soil from the start. You very likely will encounter wet, soft soil around this cottonwood, so be prepared, just in case.
The rather soft wood is used primarily for core stock in manufacturing furniture and for pulpwood. Eastern cottonwood is one of the few hardwood species that is planted and grown specifically for these purposes.
Cottonwoods are related to Poplars and Aspens.
They share the same type of leaves that shake and shimmer when the wind blows.
The leaves of Populous deltoides are simple, alternate, toothed and broadly triangular.
The leaves turn a bright yellow in the fall.
The bark of young cottonwood trunks is a pale greenish white color. When the trees reach a large size the older bark splits repeatedly and becomes deeply furrowed, very rough, thick, and ropey. In color it becomes dark gray or even blackish.
Eastern cottonwoods grow from southern Quebec westward into North Dakota and southwestern Manitoba, south to central Texas, and east to northwestern Florida and Georgia. The north-south distribution extends from latitude 28° N. to 46° N. It is absent from the higher Appalachian areas and from much of Florida and the Gulf Coast except along rivers. The western boundary is not well defined because eastern and plains cottonwoods ranges overlap.
Cottonwood trees are diecious, which means they have male and female flowers on separate trees. The pollen in male flowers ripens in late March and early April. Wind borne tree pollen, including cottonwood pollen, is a major source of allergy problems for many people. During early summer, the female trees produce the fruit of the cottonwood in the form of a seed surrounded by a cottony substance, hence the name of the tree. 
Note, however, that this substance is not the cotton clothing is made from but is composed of cellulose. Cotton is not made from cottonwood trees. This cottony material is the bane of many people living near one of these trees, as it tends to clog drains, screens, and the like. Although the cottony seeds can be a nuisance, they have no allergenic properties - only the pollen does. Those people having allergy problems during the time of the cottony seed distribution are probably suffering from other wind-borne pollen from grasses, weeds, or late-pollenating trees. The seeds produced by a cottonwood are very small, 1 to 4mm in size. This is ironic considering this tree can become one of the largest in America. These seeds are mixed inside a fluffy, cotton-like mass which is easily dispersed by the wind.
Seed Production and Dissemination- Seed production starts when the trees are 5 to 10 years old. Estimates of annual seed production of a single open-grown tree have been as high as 48 million seeds. The seed dispersal pattern results in abundant deposits of seeds along water courses. Seeds may be carried several hundred feet by the wind, aided by the "cotton" attached to the seed. Seeds falling in water may be carried a long distance from the parent tree before being left on silt deposits.
Seedling Development- Unless floating on or immersed in water, cottonwood seeds must reach a favorable seedbed and germinate very soon after falling. Germination of fresh seeds may exceed 90 percent. Seedlings are delicate for the first few weeks. Rains, very hot sunshine, and damping-off fungi kill many of them. Very moist, exposed mineral soils, such as fresh silt deposits, are required. Growth rate of the fragile seedlings is slow for the first 3 weeks but may be very rapid after that. Full sunlight for a substantial part of each day is required after the first few weeks.
The Eastern Cottonwood is frequently planted to give quick shade near homes. Male clones, which have none of the objectionable "cotton" associated with seed, are preferred. Cottonwood is suitable for soil stabilization where soil and moisture conditions are adequate, as along stream or ditch banks. There has been considerable interest in cottonwood for energy biomass, because of its high yield potential. There has also been interest in growing it for inclusion in cattle feed, since it is a good source of cellulose relatively free of undesirable components, such as tannins. The new growth is high in protein and minerals.
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When you get to the cache site, you are permitted to park across the road for a few minutes. If you plan on staying longer and enjoying the park itself, please park up on the main road area in proper parking spaces. The park is open from 8 AM to 8 PM. Please do not disturb any groups that may have reserved the shelter.
You may enter the park at the gate, or, if the park is closed, this cache can be done from outside the fence.
I encourage you to post a PHOTO of yourself and/or your group with the tree in the picture.
Permission for this cache has been granted by R. Henderson at City Hall.
Some Stats About This Tree:
1) The circumference (the distance AROUND the trunk at about 4 off the ground) is 20 feet!
2) The diameter is 5.5 feet!
3) I estimate it's height to be about 100 feet!
HAPPY CACHING!!
A satisfied cacher
FTF HONORS GO TO...SandyCreekPirates!