Cottonwood trees are the fastest growing tree that is native to Missouri, and they often grow near rivers and streams. They have white, fluffy seeds that you can see floating on the wind in the springtime.
The three cottonwood trees on the Mississippi Greenway near the pavilion at Chain of Rocks Park are growing on top of a capped landfill (where much of the remains of the Pruitt-Igoe homes were buried after they were demolished in the 1970s). These particular trees were not intentionally planted on top of the landfill (which is not a good idea), their seeds just started growing in this location.
Recently, Great Rivers Greenway worked with a worked with a TRAQ Certified Arborist (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification) to check on the health of these specific trees near the pavilion at Chain of Rocks Park. Unfortunately, the tree expert found that two of the trees are in poor health and need to be removed soon before their weak wood starts breaking and could fall on someone in the park. There are several other decaying trees in Chain of Rocks Park that play an important role in providing habitat for local wildlife, but because they are not in areas where people walk, play, and hang out, they can remain. Branches of the two removed trees will be put in the nearby wetland habitat so they can provide homes for wildlife.
One of the cottonwood trees near the Chain of Rocks Park pavilion will remain. As part of the Chain of Rocks Park renovation that Great Rivers Greenway completed in 2024, 42 new trees were planted and a shade pavilion was built on the site. Great Rivers Greenway also made improvements to the prairie and wetland habitats.
Thanks to these two cottonwood trees for the years of memories they provided!