The catalpa tree (Catalpa spp.) is well-loved and recognized for its height, enormous heart-shaped leaves (up to 12 " long and 8" wide), twisted spreading branches, panicles of creamy white fragrant blossoms, and long dark brown seed pods.
Full Answer
What does a southern catalpa tree look like?
Southern catalpa leaves measure 4” to 8” (10 – 20 cm) long and 6” to 8” (15 – 20 cm) wide. Like the leaves, the seed capsules on southern catalpa trees are not as large as the northern species. The long slender seed pods are around 15” (37 cm) long.
Are catalpa trees messy?
Catalpa trees tend to be messy trees that shed a load of large leaves in the fall. Also, in spring, the long seed pods drop and cause more mess. What’s more, the flowers and seed pods can be slippery and need clearing from sidewalks and driveways. Some catalpa species are unique in that their leaves produce sticky nectar.
What is the lifespan of a catalpa tree?
Catalpa trees are 40 to 70 feet (12 to 21.5 m.) tall trees with arching canopies and an average lifespan of 60 years. The deciduous plants are hardy to USDA planting zones 4 to 8 and can tolerate moist soils but are more suited to dry areas.
What is the scientific name for a catalpa tree?
The bean-like seed pod is the origin of the alternative vernacular names Indian bean tree and cigar tree for Catalpa bignonioides and Catalpa speciosa, respectively. The catalpa tree in Reading, Berkshire, England
What are catalpa trees good for?
Modern industrial uses of Catalpa bignonioides include general construction work, interior finish, cabinetwork, fence posts, rails, and fuel. The tree is also used as an ornamental shade tree and planted in urban areas as a street and lawn tree. Southern Catalpa is planted in windbreaks for conservation purposes.
How do I identify a catalpa tree?
Catalpa trees are easily identified by their scaly grayish, brown bark and an oval crown consisting of large, pointed leaves growing in whorls of three. Catalpas have showy, trumpet-shaped white spring blooms.
What is another name for a catalpa tree?
Common names for this tree are many and colorful—including cigar tree, Indian bean tree, catawba, caterpillar tree, hardy catalpa and western catalpa.
Is a catalpa tree a good tree?
Catalpas are impressive trees. They develop a beautiful, symmetrical and rounded habit when they are given plenty of space to grow their best. These large trees make especially attractive shade trees in open areas where there is plenty of room for them to grow.
Can you eat the fruit from a catalpa tree?
The tree is famous for its long seed pods, which resemble beans or cigars. Despite the common name of "bean tree," however, this catalpa has no known edible uses.
Are catalpa trees good in a yard?
They make excellent decorative plants for large areas including yards and parks. The large size and broad, heart-shaped leaves also make them great shade trees. Some of its more notable attributes are the flowers and bean-like pods.
Is catalpa poisonous to dogs?
Indian bean trees are also known as Catalpa trees. The roots of Indian bean trees are highly poisonous to dogs and humans. The leaves are believed to have some level of toxicity. The Indian bean has no known edible uses.
What does the catalpa tree symbolize?
Because the catalpa is aligned with the realm of spirit, the tree also helps us connect with unseen allies of all varieties, including angels, fairies, deities, and ancestors. To summarize, the messages the catalpa has for you are (A) be yourself, (B) express yourself creatively, and (C) connect with the spirit world.
What month do catalpa trees bloom?
During May and June, the entire catalpa tree is enveloped with these blooms. This tree also produces long fruits that resemble cigars. That is why the Northern catalpa is often called the “cigar tree.” Each tree can contain more than 100 seed pods.
Where should catalpa trees be planted?
Catalpas are full-sun or partial-shade trees. Plant them in an area that receives plenty of light from early and late spring through summer to make the best of their growing season.
What is the lifespan of a catalpa tree?
about 60 yearsCatalpa is native to a very small area north and south of the confluence of the Mississippi, Ohio and Wabash rivers. It grows just fine in our area though, surviving to USDA Hardiness Zone 4. Lifespan is about 60 years.
How messy are catalpa trees?
It is a very messy tree; always shedding twigs and branches, then dropping all those blossoms, followed in the fall by the huge leaves, and finally the litter of the long, cigar-like seed pods (it is also called cigar tree) that drop in the spring.
How can you tell the difference between Northern and Southern Catalpa?
The Northern catalpa has a taller trunk with vertically furrowed bark; the Southern catalpa is more squat and has bark that exfoliates in scales or flakes. The Southern catalpa has more flowers while in bloom, but they are slightly smaller than those of the Northern catalpa.
Are catalpa pods hallucinogenic?
Misc. This plant is often found on old homestead sites, even in the middle of apparent wilderness in the Pine barrens, indicating previous settlement. The name "catalpa" comes from the Native American tribe, Catawba of South Carolina, who smoked the bean pods. The pods are said to be hallucinogenic.
How many types of catalpa trees are there?
There are two species of catalpa native to North America, northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) and southern catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides). They appear very similar but are two distinct species.
Is the catalpa tree rare?
In the Western world, where few specimens have propagated in Europe or North America, it's rarer still. Here in the U.S., for example, there are only two recorded Chinese catalpa trees of this kind. The Arnold Arboretum at Harvard has one, accessioned in 1914; The New York Botanical Garden is home to the other.
What color are the flowers on a catalpa tree?
The flowers resemble an iris, with its purple and yellow coloration on the inside. The fruits, which resemble green beans, hang down from the branches and provide another visually intriguing feature. The dense clusters of white flowers, which resemble orchids, are one of the catalpa tree's most attractive features.
What is the pest that eats catalpa leaves?
The catalpa sphinx caterpillar ( Ceratomia catalpae) is the main pest, whose larvae eat through the leaves. Although a catalpa tree can tolerate this, if the caterpillar population isn't controlled, consecutive generations of larvae can completely rid the tree of leaves and kill it.
What color are catalpa flowers?
Catalpa flowers are white with purple spots on the inside.
How tall do catalpa trees grow?
The catalpa tree is an ornamental shade tree that produces dense clusters of white flowers and long seed pods. They can grow upwards of 70 feet in height, although more realistically, they typically grow to be around 50 feet.
What is a catalpa tree?
The catalpa tree is an ornamental shade tree that produces dense clusters of white flowers and long seed pods.
When do catalpa trees shed their leaves?
Catalpas are also deciduous trees, meaning they shed their leaves annually—usually in the fall or after the first frost. During this time, they also shed their long seed pods and flowers, which can deter some people from growing the tree. pinterest-pin-it. The catalpa tree is an ornamental shade tree.
What is tea made of?
Teas and poultices made from the bark and leaves are often used in herbal medicine as laxatives and mild sedatives, and to treat skin wounds and abrasions, infections, snake bites, and even malaria. There is also some scientific evidence for the diuretic properties of Catalpa fruits (pods and seeds).
What are the two species of catalpa?
The two North American species, Catalpa bignonioides (southern catalpa) and Catalpa speciosa (northern catalpa), have been widely planted outside their natural ranges as ornamental trees for their showy flowers and attractive shape. Northern and southern catalpas are very similar in appearance, but the northern species has slightly larger leaves, flowers, and bean pods. Flowering starts after 275 growing degree days. Catalpa ovata from China, with pale yellow flowers, is also planted outside its natural range for ornamental purposes. This allowed C. bignonioides and C. ovata to hybridize, with the resultant Catalpa × erubescens also becoming a cultivated ornamental.
What does the name Catalpa mean?
Etymology. The name derives from the Muscogee name for the tree, "kutuhlpa" meaning "winged head" and is unrelated to the name of the Catawba people. The spellings "Catalpa" and "Catalpah" were used by Mark Catesby between 1729 and 1732, and Carl Linnaeus published the tree's name as Bignonia catalpa in 1753.
How long does it take for a catalpa to grow?
Most catalpas begin flowering after roughly three years, and produce fruit after about five years, although Haitian catalpa ( Catalpa longissima) can flower after six months growth from seed and produce seed after 18 months.
What is a catalpa wood used for?
Catalpa is also occasionally used as a tonewood in guitars.
How tall do catalpa trees get?
Most Catalpa are deciduous trees; they typically grow to 12–18 metres (40–60 ft) tall, with branches spreading to a diameter of about 6–12 metres (20–40 ft). They are fast growers and a 10-year-old sapling may stand about 6 metres (20 ft) tall. They have characteristic large, heart-shaped leaves, which in some species are three-lobed. The appearance of the leaves sometimes causes confusion with species such as the unrelated tung tree ( Vernicia fordii) and Paulownia tomentosa. Catalpa species bear broad panicles of showy flowers, generally in summer. The flower colour generally is white to yellow. In late summer or autumn the fruit appear; they are siliques about 20–50 centimetres (8–20 in) long, full of small flat seeds, each with two thin wings to aid in wind dispersal.
What are the leaves of a catalpa?
They have characteristic large, heart-shaped leaves , which in some species are three-lobed. The appearance of the leaves sometimes causes confusion with species such as the unrelated tung tree ( Vernicia fordii) and Paulownia tomentosa. Catalpa species bear broad panicles of showy flowers, generally in summer.
Where did the catalpa tree originate?
The catalpa tree in Reading, Berkshire, England.
What is a Catalpa Tree?
Catalpa trees are 40 to 70 feet (12 to 21.5 m.) tall trees with arching canopies and an average lifespan of 60 years. The deciduous plants are hardy to USDA planting zones 4 to 8 and can tolerate moist soils but are more suited to dry areas.
Why are catalpa trees planted?
The tree is regularly planted to attract catalpa worms, which fishermen freeze and use to attract fish. The ease of catalpa tree care and its rapid growth make it ideal for areas where a quickly maturing tree line is desired.
How to grow a sage tree in a hole?
Dig a hole twice as deep and twice as wide as the root ball. Fluff out the roots to the edges of the hole and fill in around them with well worked soil. Use a stake on young trees to ensure straight growth. Water the plant well and every week until it has established.
How long is a bean shaped tree?
The fruit is a long bean-shaped pod, 8 to 20 inches (20.5 to 51 cm.) long. The tree is useful as a shade tree, along streets and in dry, hard-to-plant sites. However, the pods can become a litter problem.
What are the leaves of a sage tree?
The tree’s leaves are arrow-shaped and glossy bright green. In fall they turn a bright yellow-green before dropping as cold temperatures and chilly winds arrive. Flowers appear in spring and last into early summer. The fruit is a long bean-shaped pod, 8 to 20 inches (20.5 to 51 cm.) long.
Where do catalpa trees grow?
The catalpa is native to parts of North America and frequently grows in hot dry soils. What is a catalpa tree? It is a softly rounded tree with lovely flowers and interesting pod-like fruit. The plant has an interesting use for fishermen and is an important tree for land reclamation.
Is a catalpa tree invasive?
Growing catalpa trees is easy but they have the tendency to naturalize in areas where the tree isn’t native. This potentially invasive potential is more common in border states around the plant’s natural range.
How long does it take for a catalpa to grow?
Though they grow quickly, it takes about five to seven years for catalpas to reach maturity to the point where they blossom and bear seed pods each year. Some varieties, such as the Haitian catalpa, begin producing flowers in the first two years of maturity. They can be grown from soft root cuttings or branch cuttings, or from seed. They also reseed freely in most areas where they are established.
What type of soil does a catalpa like?
The catalpa tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, from acidic to alkaline, wet clay soils, sandy, loam and more. Good drainage is always preferred but the catalpa can survive both flooding and extended periods of drought.
What is the disease of a catalpa tree?
Although prone to pests, like the larva of catalpa sphinx moth, which can defoliate the tree, and some diseases, such as powdery mildew, leaf spot, and twig blight, catalpa trees are fairly resilient, weathering pests and diseases to grow well each year.
How big are catalpa trees?
The catalpa tree ( Catalpa spp.) is well-loved and recognized for its height, enormous heart-shaped leaves (up to 12 " long and 8" wide), twisted spreading branches, panicles of creamy white fragrant blossoms, and long dark brown seed pods. Though its tendency to spring up in odd places and grow rather quickly has earned it a reputation of being a bit of a "weed tree," plenty of folks love having this large graceful shade trees on their properties. They became popular at the turn of the century in the Northeast US and one often sees streets or cul-de-sacs named some variation "Catalpa Terrace" or "Catalpa Circle."
Where do catalpa trees grow?
It's been cultivated throughout the US since the early 1800s. The flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds for pollination, and this tree is the sole host for the catalpa sphinx moth. With dense foliage and large leaves, the catalpa provides excellent cover and shelter for a wide variety of song birds and wildlife. The tree's hardiness once made it an important source of lumber, particularly for railroad ties and fence posts. It's seen in many large parks due to its hardiness and graceful shape in the landscape, but as an urban tree the leaf litter can be somewhat problematic near sidewalks and cars.
When do catalpa seeds appear?
The catalpa's seed pods appear in autumn. While beautiful on the tree and lending seasonal interest, these seed pods are fairly messy and may be slippery to pedestrians, so these trees should not be planted near sidewalks or parking lots. They can also be can be propagated from cuttings taken during the summer from non-flowering branches.
Do catalpa plants need sunlight?
The catalpa is remarkably adaptable to a wide range of soil, moisture and weather conditions, and thought it needs a good amount of sunlight, it's not fussy about its growing conditions.
What is a catalpa x erubescens?
Catalpa x erubescens is the classification for hybrids between Chinese and southern catalpa. One to look for is ‘Purpurescens,’ with spring leaves of rich burgundy. They also fade to green with the summer heat. Printer Friendly Version. This article was last updated on 08/28/19.
What is the color of the catalpa leaves?
You will find some catalpa cultivars and hybrids available. Catalpa cultivars of the southern variety include ‘Aurea,’ which offers bright yellow leaves that turn green when it gets hot. Or pick a rounded dwarf, ‘Nana.’
What is a catalpa tree?
Image by MaYcaL. Catalpa trees are tough natives offering creamy flowers in spring. The common catalpa tree varieties for home gardens in this country are hardy catalpa ( Catalpa speciosa) and southern catalpa ( Catalpa bignonioides ), with some other kinds of catalpa available.
How big does a catalpa grow?
Hardy catalpa is found in the wild in the northeastern and southwest regions of the United States. It grows quite large, to 70 feet (21 m.) tall in the wild, with an open spread of some 40 feet (12 m.).
Where do catalpa trees grow?
Southern catalpa grows in Florida, Louisiana and other southeastern states. This is the smaller of the two common varieties of catalpa trees. Both have white blossoms and interesting seed pods. While these native trees are the types of catalpa most often seen in residential landscapes in the country, those seeking a tree can also choose ...
Is a catalpa tree drought tolerant?
It doesn’t help that the tree is messy, dropping its large leaves, flower petals and cigar-shaped seed pods as they fade. Still, the catalpa is a resilient, drought tolerant and attractive tree, used by indigenous people for medicinal purposes.
Do catalpas have downsides?
However, like all trees, catalpas have their downsides . Read on for information on catalpa trees, including an overview of the varieties of catalpa trees available.
What type of soil does a catalpa grow in?
The northern catalpa grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, silty loam, well-drained, wet and clay soils. A wide range of moisture conditions can be tolerated, including some flooding and extremely hot, dry conditions.
What is the sole host of the catalpa sphinx moth?
The flowers of the catalpa are visited by hummingbirds. It is the sole host of the catalpa sphinx moth. And it provides nutrition for bees in early summer.
How big are bean seed pods?
Yields bean-like seed pods that are 8–20" long and ¼–½" wide, starting out green and turning brownish as they ripen. They are filled with numerous, 1" long seeds that are fringed at the ends. Requires cleanup after the flower petals, leaves and seed pods drop.
What zone do catalpas grow in?
The northern catalpa can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 4–8. View Map
When was the catalpa tree first planted?
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.
How fast does a sage tree grow?
This tree grows at a medium to fast rate, with height increases of anywhere from 13" to more than 24" per year.
Is a northern catalpa tree hardy?
And with all of these unique features, the northern catalpa is popular with kids as well. While not ideal for every location, this unique and hardy tree is a fast grower that finds a home in parks and yards throughout the country. price Pricing Information.
What is a catalpa tree?
Some fishermen refer to the catalpa as the “fish bait tree,” and it has also been referred to as “cigar tree” or “bean tree,” because both the northern and southern species feature long, slender seed pods that look like a cigar or an unshelled long bean. The northern catalpa has pods that are slightly slimmer in diameter ...
What is the primary predator of catalpa worms?
Catalpa Worms and Braconid Wasps. The primary predator to catalpa worms is an endoparasitoid wasp, Cotesia congregata , from the Braconidae family. These wasps lay eggs along the back of the caterpillar; after they’ve hatched, they feed on the worm itself, eventually killing it.
How big are catalpa pods?
The northern catalpa has pods that are slightly slimmer in diameter and up to two feet in length, while the southern catalpa usually has pods less than 12 inches in length . Both varieties produce large, white, erect flowers. 1 .
What is the caterpillar that strips the tree of its foliage?
Indoor Gardening. Urban Farms. Insects. Catalpa trees, with two species native to the United States, are known for their beautiful and plentiful blooms, as well as for being the sole source of food for catalpa worms — a caterpillar that strips the tree of its foliage and eventually becomes the catalpa sphinx moth.
Why are wasps beneficial to catalpa trees?
These wasps are beneficial to the catalpa trees and the ecosystem overall, because they help stop the worms from killing the tree.
What is the medicinal use of catalpa tree?
The southern catalpa tree also has medicinal uses, and a tea made from the bark has been used as an antiseptic, snake bite antidote, laxative, sedative, and to remove parasitic worms. This tea was also used as a substitute for quinine in treating malaria.
How long have catalpa trees been around?
Historically, catalpa trees have served a variety of uses and have been extensively propagated for more than 200 years. European settlers used the wood for fence posts, and railroad companies used it to make track ties and fuel wood.
What is catalpa wood?
Catalpa wood is the common name for several plant species in the genus of the same name. Catalpa tree is native to the eastern United States but is now naturalized throughout North America.
What is the difference between catalpa sapwood and catalpa heartwood?
Catalpa heartwood is a neutral grayish brown to a golden brown, while the sapwood is a pale grey. Catalpa wood has an open and rough texture, while the texture is straight. However, we see other grain shapes as interlocking, which do seem to exist.
What wood is best for carving?
Catalpa is an excellent choice for carvings. It is a wood that has great stability and is better for outdoor carving.
How tall is a spruce tree?
The tree is about 50-100 feet tall, and the trunk diameter is 2-4 feet. This is a wood that has a unique appearance because it looks like short black stripes and forms straight or interlocked grains.
Can termites damage catalpa wood?
Not only that, but Catalpa wood is also wood that is resistant to direct contact with the ground. This is proof that termites or other insects will not easily damage the Catalpa used as fence posts.
Is catalpa wood still sold?
Moderate price: It seems that this is not a popular wood used for many wooden objects. However, Catalpa wood is still sold in various forms.
Is catalpa wood resistant to insect attacks?
However, we get information that this wood has good resistance in direct contact with the ground. That seems to be enough to prove that Catalpa wood is resistant to insect attacks.
What is the stem circumference of a tree?
3' is the stem circumference. When reporting tree records, listing height and stem circumference only is often done. When the average crown spread is included, it is often presented after the stem circumference.
What is the color of Clerodendrum trichotomum?
Clerodendrum trichotomum. The berries are bright blue when fresh.
What is the average size of a sandbox?
There is no other candidate. Typical upper range 26' x 3'.