Third Largest Cottonwood in Iowa

Unofficially, there is an eastern cottonwood along the Three Rivers Trail that is the third largest in circumference in Iowa. The two largest ones are listed as 29.83 ft and 29.75 ft. This cotton wood comes in at 27.875 ft (27 ft 10.5 in). The next largest one listed on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website is 26.83 ft. We will be submitting our lovely tree for official recognition.

Find this tree in Gotch State Park, 2568 Gotch Park Rd, Humboldt, IA 50548.

Location of third largest cottonwood in iowa — To view this magnificent tree, follow the road to the parking lot near the brick shelter house. Walk north, past the wooden shelter house, and onto the Three Rivers Trail. Walk east along the trail over the bridge. Just on the east side of the bridge and the south side of the trail you will find this tree. You can’t miss it!

The tree is growing in the ditch along side the trail which served as borrow pit to build up the railroad bed. This means that tree is no older than the rail line, which was built in 1879.

Third largest Eastern Cottonwood in Iowa — The circumference of this tree measured 27 ft 10.5 inches on July 21, 2025. The measurement was taken about 4.5 ft from the ground, using the rope shown in the picture.