Northern catalpa is primarily used today as a large ornamental shade tree. Although characterized as having weak wood, timber from Northern Catalpa is highly decay resistant. Its grain pattern flutters around with the light and when rubbed to a rich finish, it has the texture of pure silk. The range of the plant has greatly increased through planting on farms as fence post material and as an ornamental. Northern catalpa is associated with low ground along streams, rivers and lakes, often in the open. Common names for this tree are many and colorful—including cigar tree, Indian bean tree, catawba, caterpillar tree, hardy catalpa and western catalpa. The flowers are followed by 8- to 20-inch bean-like seed pods that turn brown in the fall. Catalpa bignonioides also occurs in Kansas and closely resembles Catalpa speciosa. Comments: Northern Catalpa is one of two species in this genus that occur in Illinois -- the other species, Catalpa bignonioides (Southern Catalpa), is native to a fairly small region of southeastern United States, but not Illinois. I have cut up several hundred board feet of city catalpa over the past couple years. Often regarded as a weed tree, its wood is under-appreciated and underused. It is lightweight and has a soft rich luster. This curious tree with its almost tropical show of speckled white flowers, looks out of place in Northern Catalpa tree - $2 (St. Northern catalpa (catawba) tree white flowers. I find the grain is kind of ash-like, although the wood is darker and does not have any other characteristics of ash. Catalpa, commonly called catalpa or catawba in Banja Koviljaca park, Serbia. The Northern Catalpa Tree can reach heights of 40 to 60 feet. It is a softer wood, similar hardness to chestnut. The Chinese catalpa thrives in Midwestern urban environments. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. It volunteered in our own yard from elsewhere in the neighborhood and we transplanted it to a sunnier spot our front yard. is an excellent light hardwood with a large percentage of heartwood. The catalpa tree is found in forests from southern Illinois and Indiana to western Tennessee and Arkansas. Flowering starts after 275 growing degree days. Catalpa grows well in different types of soil, can withstand extremely hot, dry conditions and transplants easily. Catalpa ovata, commonly called Chinese catalpa, yellow catalpa and Japanese catalpa, is a small deciduous tree that typically grows to 30’ tall and as wide with a spreading crown.It is native to forested areas in western China. Northern catalpa, a tree with fruits that looks similar to the green beans. 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. I pulled the car over to take photos. It is known from New England, except Vermont, west through New York, to North Dakota, and south to Texas, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico, east to Georgia and north to Pennsylvania, but is not recorded from New Jersey and Delaware. The wood is … Northern catalpa, a tree with fruits resemblance green beans. Because the wood resists rot, it can also be shaped into long-lived fence posts. That trait belongs to the related Southern Catalpa, Catalpa bignonioides, that is found in the Southeastern United States. The telephone companies prefer it to construct the poles to hang telephone cables. They are glossy on top and densely hairy on their undersides. [1] Most catalpas begin flowering after roughly three years, and produce fruit after about five years, [ citation needed ] although Haitian catalpa ( Catalpa longissima ) can flower after six months growth from seed and produce seed after 18 months. This latter species is also cultivated throughout the state as a landscape tree and it occasionally escapes. "Catalpa" is a Native American name for the tree. It is widely planted as an ornamental tree. Trees: Catalpa - Indian bean tree - Catalpa bignonioides / Catalpa speciosa - Duration: 1:32. Broad-ovate, light green leaves (to 10” long and wide) are usually entire but sometimes 3-5 lobed. Catalpa wood is also valued. Northern catalpa is a medium to large deciduous tree native to the United States that survives in USDA Hardiness zones of 4-8. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. 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