How do you identify Northern Catalpa?
Bark: Gray to reddish brown, separated into irregular shallow fissures and scaly ridges. Form: A medium sized tree to 80 feet with spreading, crooked branches and an irregular crown. The bole may be straight but is generally crooked.
What is a catalpa leaf look like?
The leaves on the Southern Catalpa are normally very broad (they can be up to 30 cm long and about 15 cm wide). The leaves are often whorled, with 3 per node. The tips are short-pointed or rounded and the base is heart-shaped, with no teeth or lobes around the edge of the leaf.
Where is the northern catalpa native to?
The catalpa tree is found in forests from southern Illinois and Indiana to western Tennessee and Arkansas. First cultivated in 1754, the wood was used for fence posts and railroad ties because of its resistance to rot and the tree’s fast growth rate.
What are northern catalpa used for?
First cultivated in 1754, the wood was used for fence posts and railroad ties because of its resistance to rot and the tree’s fast growth rate. Common names for this tree are many and colorful—including cigar tree, Indian bean tree, catawba, caterpillar tree, hardy catalpa and western catalpa.
What is a northern catalpa tree?
Catalpa is a Midwest native tree that grows 40 to 60 feet tall, with a narrow, open, irregularly rounded crown and spreading branches. It has large, heart-shaped leaves and large clusters of fragrant, white flowers. The long, interesting seed pods persist through the winter.
What is a catalpa tree good for?
Interesting Information About Plant: And the strong wood is used for fence posts and making furniture. Finally, fibers from the fruit of the plant can be used to make ropes. Catalpa also has several medicinal uses. It can be made into a tea that is an antidote for snake bites and has also used for a laxative.
Is northern catalpa invasive?
It is an invasive, weedy tree which escapes cultivation easily. The flowers, long seedpods and seeds fall down from spring through winter, and create a mess on the ground anywhere near the tree. Its brittle wood makes its branches subject to wind and ice damage. Catalpas can readily be grown from seed.
What does a northern catalpa tree look like?
A tree that grabs your attention, the northern catalpa is a large tree with white, showy (and fragrant) flowers, massive heart-shaped leaves, and dangling bean-like seed pods (which persist through the winter) atop a twisting trunk and branches.
What is the difference between Catalpa and Catalpa speciosa?
The Northern Catalpa is a larger tree with a thinner leaf and a longer point on its valentine shaped leaf. Catalpa speciosa grows much taller than Southern Catalpa and its panicle flowers are typically white. For massiveness, Northern Catalpa has the edge.
Do catalpa trees change color in the fall?
Although the northern catalpa doesn’t offer any vibrant fall foliage, it does boast large, beautiful leaves and color that are ornamental in the summer. Known for both its beauty as well as utility, the northern catalpa is a Midwest native tree that grows 40 to 60 feet tall.
How fast does a catalpa tree grow?
The northern catalpa grows to a height of 40–60′ and a spread of 20–40′ at maturity. This tree grows at a medium to fast rate, with height increases of anywhere from 13″ to more than 24″ per year.