Arkansas Tree Database

Northern Catalpa

Northern Catalpa

Scientific name:

Catalpa Speciosa

Size:

45' tall by 30' wide, up to 100' tall

Leaves:

whorled (3 at each node) or opposite, simple, 6"-12" long and heart-shaped, untoothed, mildly scented when crushed

Flowers:

large white bell-shaped flowers, with two yellow-orange streaks and several purple lines and spots in throat, with upper lip 2-lobed and lower lip 3-lobed, in large terminal panicles; May

Fruit:

long slender persistent cigar-shaped pods releasing seeds in spring

Fall Interest:

yellow; deciduous

Culture:

sun; deep, relatively moist soil; adaptable

Disease/Insect:

catalpa sphinx moth caterpillars, a favorite bait

Use:

windbreak or specimen for large property or park; wood in contact with the ground extremely resistant to rot, has been used for railroad ties, posts

Cultivars:

Notes:

native to northeast Arkansas

Resources:

Click thumbnail to enlarge images

Northern catalpa bark on mature tree Northern catalpa flower Northern catalpa leaf, 6"-12" long Northern catalpa leaves Northern catalpa seed pod Northern catalpa tree in bloom Northern catalpa tree form, summer Northern catalpa branching habit, winter Northern catalpa twig