I don't think we have any cotton wood where I live (could be wrong), but we do have sweet gum.... I feel your pain. My Grandfather and other old timey carpenters used those twisted grain planks for purlings on roof tops, and "knees" on boats. Once dried, the twisted grain tightened around the screw or nail, making it almost impossible to pull or back out. Maybe there is some use for cotton wood around your place?