What are the white furry things floating around in Chicago?

Question

Ok, for over ten years, I have noticed the arrival of these white furry things that are floating around in Chicago. It looks almost like dandelion seeds, but I'm not sure if it is. My neighborhood is so littered with them that it looks like a winter wonderland. What is this stuff? I can't imagine all of this is dandelion seeds--it's a ridiculous amount of fur!

Answer 1

Maybe it's from Cottonwood trees. It flies thick as snow in Denver around this time of year. That's my guess.

Answer 2

Around here, they're cottonwood tree seeds.  My dog and my mother are both allergic to them.  

Are you talking about white fluffy things that are a bit bigger than dandelion seeds and sort of like pieces ripped off a cotton ball?  If you don't have a tree like that, one of your neighbors probably does.  They like wet areas, in particular, so that's where I'd start looking for the source if you have no other idea.

Answer 3

i think read in the newspaper that they are little aliens.

Answer 4

I'm not sure what you are seeing but being this time of year/season ans I live in the same area I'm going to say its Cherry Trees...I think to be exact they are called Cherry willow trees?  Its this fuzzy stuff that gets all over and travels I swear miles lol.  i'm with you here on this fuzzy white stuff so your not alone!

Answer 5

There are many trees that put out their seeds in fuzzy white stuff, and there are a lot of plants other than dandelion that spread seeds this way.

It is one of the things that keeps gardeners busy, getting rid of unwanted plants that just drift in.