In spain there would be big ol trees with I think the same thing growing up into them. Really pretty. We have the cottonwood trees cottoning out here and sure not fun trying to do something on the car and snorting cotton balls out of the air or eating them.
The other trees blooked a while back if that's what it's called and thier catepillar like blooms fall onto your car and leave a nasty purple stain to remove.