These trees are some of the largest and fastest growing trees in Minnesota, with some individuals reaching over 120 feet tall. Commonly found in floodplains and other frequently disturbed areas, the most recognizable characteristic of Cottonwoods are the wind-dispersed seeds that are cotton-like in appearance.These trees have alternate, triangular leaves of 2-4 inches with square leaf bases and the white bark on young trees transitions to gray and deeply furrowed bark on older trees.