Northern Catalpa

Catalpa speciosa

#10 Container

Mature height x width: 40-60’ x 20-40’

Light Preference: Full sun

Soil Preference: Sandy clay to sandy loam, moist and well-drained

Tolerates… Alkaline soil, dry sites, occasional flooding, road salt, wet sites.  

Does not tolerate… Road salt

Ash replacement? ü

Buckthorn replacement? û

Shoreline buffer zone? û

Seasonal interest: Spring flowers, fall color

Resilience to climate change: High adaptability

Pollinator and wildlife value: Pollinators and hummingbirds

Other notes: The northern catalpa is a tall and upright shade tree. It has large, heart-shaped leaves and a showy display of white flowers in late spring. Long seed pods ripen in late summer and persist into the winter. The catalpa is a moderate to fast grower and makes an excellent shade tree or ash replacement.

Photo credit: Sharon Yiesla; Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org