Fairfield Cottonwood

About this verified tree

The Fairfield Poplar is a planted plains cottonwood and stands as the largest known individual of its species in Alberta, holding provincial champion status. It grows on the grounds of the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, where early 20th-century tree planting played a central role in shaping the surrounding landscape. The tree is believed to have been planted in 1907 by William Harmon Fairfield, the first superintendent of the site, during the formative years of the former Dominion Experimental Station. It is one of the original trees established as part of an ambitious arboretum project that introduced hundreds of tree species to southern Alberta at a time when large portions of the region were still largely treeless. The Fairfield Poplar has a massive, deeply furrowed trunk with broad limb structure and an expansive crown typical of old plains cottonwoods grown in open conditions. Its age is evident in the heavy bark texture, large scaffold branches, and visible signs of long-term adaptation to wind, drought, and seasonal extremes. A commemorative plaque at the base of the tree recognizes it as a living legacy of early land stewardship and foresight, noting the effort required to transport young trees from the river valley by horse and wagon. In recognition of the tree’s historical and genetic significance, a cloned sapling—known as “Fairfield Junior”—was planted nearby to preserve the lineage of this landmark tree for future generations.

Species

Plains Cottonwood

Scientific name

Populus deltoides subsp. monilifera

Area

Alberta

Circumference

7.54 m

Height

37.30 m

Canopy spread

29.90 m