All About the Northern Catalpa:
Scientific Nomenclature: Catalpa speciosa
Common Names: Northern catalpa, cigar tree, catawba tree
Mature Height: 40–60 feet
Mature Spread: 20–40 feet
Growth Rate: Fast
Attracts Wildlife: Pollinators
Messiness: Large vanilla bean-shaped seed pods mature and drop in autumn. Flowers in the spring and drops blooms shortly after. Drops its very large leaves in autumn.
Shape: Irregular
Native to Kentucky: Yes
Preferred Soils: Tolerant of most soil conditions but prefers moist or well-drained loam with high organic matter content. It does well in difficult to grow locations as it’s tolerant of both occasionally wet sites and dry spots with poor soil.
Screening: Not used as a screening or privacy tree.
Drought Tolerance: Tolerant of poor and dry soil conditions but intolerant of drought.
Coniferous or Deciduous: Deciduous tree
Pruning: Very rarely needs pruning. If required, deadwood should be removed in late winter or early spring.
Climate Quick Facts:
Following being planted as a sapling, over 20 years one Northern catalpa will:
- Sequester ~822 pounds of CO2.
- Reduce stormwater runoff by 488 gallons.