Trees

Cottonwood trees at Iyat (Serpentine Hot Springs) within Bering Land Bridge National Preserve.

NPS Photo

Few trees manage to survive the cold, windy, and often dark tundra environment. Cottonwoods are an exception to the norm. They can be found sparsely scattered across much of Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. While several species of cottonwoods thrive further south, only a few have what it takes to endure an arctic environment.

By large, the most common tree found in the preserve is a type of cottonwood called balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera). The balsam poplar is the northernmost hardwood species in America. Unlike the cottonwoods found further south that can grow up to 100 feet, the balsam popular is a short tree. It has dark green leaves turn gold before shedding in fall, and the tree sports pointed, resinous buds in the winter and early spring.

The balsam poplar plays a critical role in the riparian ecosystem by providing shelter and food for a variety of animals. An abundance of insects make homes out of the riverbed habitat of the cottonwood, and in turn, these insects provide a food source for fish, birds, and other animals.

The cottonwood is part of the willow family, and, like many species in the family, the balsam poplar is known for its medicinal uses. Certain parts of the tree, especially the bud and bark, have historically been used to make skin salves, teas, and other herbal medicines.

 

more plants at bering land bridge

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  Plants

  Learn more about the wildflowers, trees, shrubs, and grasses at Bering Land Bridge.

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  Wildflowers

  Many small flowering plants show their bloom in the summer.

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  Grasses and Sedges

  Grasses and sedges are one of the most abundant plant types in the Seward Peninsula.

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  Shrubs

  Willows and birch are common and abundant in the area.

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  Wild Berries

  Many wild berries grow in the tundra.

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  Mosses and Liverworts

  Mosses thrive in the wet tundra, where they draw their nutrients from the shallow ground.