Aug. 12—Q: My neighbor and I share a healthy cottonwood on our property line. It seems that all of a sudden it has started dropping some yellow leaves. Isn't it too early for the tree to start ...

Every year the eastern cottonwood trees in Michigan release their fluffy seeds. The end of June likely marks the end of this process. Here's what to know.

An eastern cottonwood tree estimated to be more than 100 years old is being cut down from the backyard of a Rochester Street home over concerns falling branches might damage nearby properties.

For now, this summer is on track to be as dry or worse than the 2012 drought, according to Rollinson. Some trees that put out leaves late are “already looking a little scraggly,” Rollinson said.

It is the stem of the leaf, called a petiole, which explains why the cottonwood turns up in many songs. With inspiration from Cole Porter, picture yourself hiking alone on a beautiful spring evening.