The present application relates to a cross-linked fiber and more specifically to fibers that have been subjected to cold caustic extraction (at less than 60° C.) to reduce the hemicellulose content of the fibers by at least 50% and then cross-linked with a cross-linking agent that is curable at a modest temperature, such as less than 160° C. The treated cross-linked fibers preferably have a hemicellulose content that is less than 5% by weight of the fiber. Preferable cross-linking agents are polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE) resins, polyamide-polyamine-epichlorohydrin (PPE) resins, and polydiallylamine-epichlorohydrin resins. The cross-linked fibers are readily dispersible in water even without fiberization and generally form webs and products having relatively few knits or knots. As such, the cross-linked fibers of the present invention are well suited for use in the manufacture of tissue webs and products, particularly wet-laid tissue webs and products.