Cottonwood is a very soft wood and for that reason it is not traditionally thought of as material for turning bowls.  However, this morning I drove past a couple of guys who had just cut down a dead cottonwood tree in a front yard and I asked for and was given one of the rounds to cut up and try to turn.  Although dead, the tree had been standing out in the weather and was relatively wet, making it difficult to cut cleanly with turning tools.  Sanding was slow as well.  But a pleasing shape can still be realized with a little patience.  This bowl is 5″ deep and a little over 6″ across.