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| ## northern catalpa {#northern-catalpa .Title-Header}                 |
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| *Catalpa speciosa* (Warder) Warder ex Engelm.                         |
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| Plant Symbol = CASP8                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Manhattan Plant Materials Center and Kansas
State University Forestry Research

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.995833333333333in"
height="4.5055555555555555in"}

J.S. Peterson @ plants.usda.gov

#####  {#section .Header-3}

##### Alternate Names  {#alternate-names .Header-3}

Hardy catalpa, western catalpa, Catawba, Catawba-tree, cigar tree,
Indian bean tree, Indian cigar, Shawnee wood, early-flowering catalpa.
The name 'catalpa' comes from the Cherokee Indian language as the word
for the tree. 'Speciosa' means "showy" for the large and numerous
flowers.

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Horticultural*: Northern catalpa (*Catalpa speciosa* (Warder) Warder ex
Engelm.) is primarily used today as a large ornamental shade tree. It is
widely planted in urban areas as a street and lawn tree. When flowering,
it has abundant showy blossoms.

*Conservation*: Conservation uses include being planted in mined-land
reclamation projects and shelterbelts.

European settlers planted it to produce fence posts. The wood is
lightweight, and the heartwood is resistant to deterioration when placed
in the ground for several years. Railroad companies grew plantations of
it for use as track ties and fuel wood. It was also used for making
packing materials. Carpenters commonly used it for interior trim in
houses. Craftsmen used it to make furniture. It has also been used as
telephone or power line poles.

*Ethnobotany*: In some of the older medical journals (19^th^ century)
there were speculations that catalpa gave off poisonous emanations.
However, there is no scientific evidence to prove those speculations.

Pioneer doctors used the seed pods and seeds to make a decoction for
chronic bronchial affections, spasmodic asthma, labored breathing and
heart problems. The juice from either the leaves or roots was used to
treat swelling of an eye or cutaneous affections. Green leaves were
crushed and placed on swollen lymph glands. The bark was dried then
ground to a powder and taken, or brewed in a tea and taken for swollen
lymph glands.

Modern pharmaceutical research has shown catalpa trees have diuretic
properties.

It is sometimes planted to attract the green catalpa worms, which are
prized fish bait. These caterpillars can be frozen and used as bait at a
later time.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Weediness {#weediness .Header-3}

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and
may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please
consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service
office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding
its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS
Web site at plants.usda.gov.

**Description**

######## General: It is a perennial deciduous tree which readily grows in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8. It has moderate to fast growth, tending to grow rapidly when juvenile, but slows with maturity. 

######## 

######## The height at 20 years is about 20 feet. The biggest northern catalpa recorded is in Indiana. It is 85 feet tall with a spread of 81 feet and a circumference of 290 inches at 4.5 feet above ground level. Catalpas prefer moist, deep, well drained soil, but adapts to dry or wet soils. The soil pH may range from 5.5 to 7.0. It prefers an open sunny space to partial shade. When it grows from seed the tree trunk rarely divides into two or more branches about the same size. If the tree is cut and grows back there is prolific spouting from the stump. The bole may be straight, but it is usually crooked. It is tall with an irregular, open-rounded to narrow-oval crown. This tree comes into leaf very late in the spring and it is one of the first to lose its leaves in the fall. Its longevity is about 60 years.

The tree bark ranges from scaly to ridged, to blocky plates. On a mature
tree trunk the bark may be from ¾ to 1 inch thick, light grayish brown
in color, and broken into longitudinal, scaly, flat ridges. On young
tree seedlings the bark is thin and easily damaged by impact, or
rodents.

Twigs in winter have a unique identifying characteristic. They have
sunken leaf scars which resemble suction cups. Their whorled arrangement
of 3 scars per node is another trait easily identified.

Leaves are simple, large, ovate to ovate-oblong, from 8 to 12 inches
long, are heart-shaped tropical looking without any lobes and are
yellowish green in color. The leaf margins are entire, pointed at the
tips and rounded to cordate at the bases. The top of the leaf is darker
green than the underside which is also pubescent. Leaves are generally
opposite on large branches and often whorled in 3 on young stems. Leaves
may scorch and drop during droughts. They turn an undistinguished yellow
in the fall before dropping. The leaves do not emit an unpleasant aroma
when bruised as is the case with the southern catalpa (*Catalpa
bignonioides* Walt.), which are also more abruptly pointed.

The flowers of catalpa are perfect. Flowering takes place in late spring
to early summer. They occur as large clusters of showy, white,
bell-shaped corollas of 5 lobes with ruffled edges and yellow, orange or
purple interior spotting or streaking. Individual flowers are showy,
tubular up to ½ inch broad. They are branched in about 10 inch clusters
at the stem tips. The northern catalpa flowers about 2 to 3 weeks
earlier than the southern catalpa, which also has more spotted flowers.
Flowers are good for honey production.

Seedpods are slender and green in the summer growing from 10 to 24
inches long, looking similar to an exaggerated green bean. They mature
in the fall, turn dark brown, split open lengthwise to let seeds fall in
the spring. The whole pod is often blown off the tree. The shape and
color of the mature seedpod gives rise to the common name of cigar tree.

The southern catalpa seeds are drawn out more to a point while the
northern catalpas seeds are blunter at the end. Seeds are about 1 inch
long and 1/3 inch wide. They have a light brown coat and wings rounded
at the ends terminating in a fringe of short hairs. There are
approximately 20,480 seeds per pound. Seeds which are collected after
overwintering in the mature seedpod have a higher germination rate than
those collected in the fall and stored.

The wood is of moderately light density (specific gravity 0.42 oven
dry), with pale gray sapwood and grayish brown heartwood. It has a
faint, aromatic, non characteristic odor and no characteristic taste. It
is ring porous, coarse-grained, soft, not strong, but very durable in
contact with the soil.

*Distribution*: For current distribution, please consult the Plant
Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

*Habitat*: Prior to European settlement it was native to a small area of
the central Mississippi Valley basin, western Tennessee, north east
Arkansas, the lowlands of south east Mississippi and southern Illinois
and Indiana. Farmers once planted catalpas in groves to provide shade
for hog lots. It is now readily found from Kansas south to Texas and
eastward to Louisiana.

##### Adaptation {#adaptation .Header-3}

It has been extensively propagated for over 200 years. It can now be
found in most eastern states, and planted to some extent in Europe and
New Zealand.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

When placed as an ornamental in a yard setting, care must be taken to
ensure it is not too close to a building, fence, property line or septic
system. Ample space should be provided to let it reach a mature height.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

The biggest management problem with a catalpa tree used as an ornamental
is litter. It will drop a heavy load of flowers in the spring, then a
plentiful supply of leaves in the fall and finally a lot of large
seedpods in the winter.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Larvae of the catalpa sphinx caterpillar (*Ceratomia catalpae*) eat the
tree's leaves. This causes significantly more nectar than normal to seep
out of the damaged leaves. Almost complete defoliation may occur in some
years. This increased nectar attracts various species of ants, ladybird
beetles and a parasitoid. These predaceous insects attack and/or remove
the eggs and young larvae of the catalpa sphinx. The secretion of
extrafloral nectar and its subsequent harvesting by insects is mutually
beneficial to both the catalpa tree and the predaceous insects.

Rabbits are especially damaging in their girdling of young stems.

Immature seeds in the pods are often destroyed by a small yellow grub,
the larva of a gnat.

Catalpa midge (*Cecidomyia catalpae* Comstock) causes leaf spots,
injures terminal buds and branch tips, as well as seeds in the pods.

Brown leaf spots on leaves are often created by the fungi *Macrosporium
catalpae*. This is rarely a serious problem so no chemical treatment is
recommended. Catalpa is also susceptible to the decay fungus
*Polystictus versicolor*. It can severely damage catalpa trees after
about 20 years of age in the western part of its planted range.

Powdery mildew causes a white powdery coating on the leaves. When severe
the leaves turn yellow and drop.

Verticillum wilt will make the branches die, and can eventually kill
trees. A hard to find symptom of verticillum wilt is discoloration of
the sapwood.

##### Environmental Concerns {#environmental-concerns .Header-3}

It is an invasive, weedy tree which escapes cultivation easily. The
flowers, long seedpods and seeds fall down from spring through winter,
and create a mess on the ground anywhere near the tree.

Its brittle wood makes its branches subject to wind and ice damage.

##### Seeds and Plant Production {#seeds-and-plant-production .Header-3}

Catalpas can readily be grown from seed. Research shows seeds collected
after overwintering in the seedpods had better germination than those
collected in the fall and stored inside. Root cuttings may also be used
to propagate trees.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

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.
One variety of *C. speciosa* has been documented: pulverulenta from Paul
& Son.

Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil
Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone
book under "United States Government." The Natural Resources
Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading "Department of
Agriculture."

##### Control {#control .Header-3}

Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county
weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it
safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control
method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to
provide specific information. USDA, NRCS does not guarantee or warranty
the products and control methods named, and other products may be
equally effective.

##### References {#references .Header-3}

American Forests. *National register of big trees: northern catalpa.*
(<http://www.americanforests.org/resources/bigtrees/register.php?details=140>)
\[online: cited 14 August 2008\].

Bailey, L.H. 1939. p. 684 *In* *The standard cyclopedia of
horticulture*. Volume I --A-E. The MacMillan Company, New York.

Bailey, L.H. and E.Z. Bailey. 1976. *Hortus third, a concise dictionary
of plants cultivated in the United States and Canada.* State University
at Cornell University, New York State College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences. MacMillan Publishing Company, New York.

Bonner, F.T. and D.L. Graney. 1989. *Catalpa* Scop. Catalpa. p. 281-283.
*In* Schopmeyer, Technical Coordinator. *Agricultural Handbook No. 450*,
2^nd^ ed. Reprint from 1974. USDA: Forest Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washngton, D.C.

Collingwood, G.H. 1943. Northern catalpa. *American Forests*, August,
1943. p. 401.

Dalby, R. 1999. p. 469 *In* The case for the catalpa. *American Bee
Journal*, June, 1991.

Evans, E. Trees: *Catalpa speciosa*.
(<http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/catalpa_speciosa.html>).
\[online: cited 24 March 2005\]. North Carolina State University
Cooperative Extension Horticultural Science.

Felter, H.W. and J.U. Lloyd. 1898. Catalpa-cigar tree. *King's American
Dispensatory*
(http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/kings/catalpa.html) \[online:
cited 24 March 2005\].

Fernald, M.L. 1950. *Gray's Manual of Botany*, 8^th^ ed. American Book
Company, New York.

Floridata. *Catalpa speciosa*.
(<http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cata_spe.cfm>) \[online: cited 24 March
2005\]. Floridata marketplace.

Garman, H. 1912. *The catalpa and their allies*. Bulletin No. 164:
201-223. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station.

Geyer. W.A. 2000. Catalpa Outline Data Sheet. *The forestry compendium
-- a silvicultural reference.* CABI Publishing. Wellingford, Oxon, U.K.

Gilman, E.F. and D.G. Watson. 1993. *Catalpa spp*. Fact Sheet ST-130.
University of Florida, Florida Cooperative Extension Service,
Environmental Horticulture Department, Institute of Food and
Agricultural Sciences.

Green, W.J. 1904. *The hardy catalpa as a farm crop*. Bulletin No.
149:69-80. Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station.

Gossard, H.A. 1908. *The catalpa midge*. Bulletin No. 197: 13p. Ohio
Agricultural Experiment Station.

Hortnet. *Catalpa speciosa*.
(<http://www.hort.net/gallery/view/big/catsp/>) \[online: cited 24 March
2005\]. Hort.net

Iverson, L., D. Ketzner, and J. Kar. *Illinois plant information network
on Catalpa speciosa*. (<http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/delaware/ilpin/699.co>)
\[online: cited 24 March 2005\]. USDA Forest Service, Delaware.

Little, E.L. 1953. USDA, FS. *Checklist of native and naturalized trees
of the United States.* Agriculture Handbook No. 41. U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

McGregor, R.L. et al. 1977. *Atlas of the flora of the great plains*.
Iowa State University, The Iowa State University Press, Ames.

McGregor, R.L. et al. 1986. *Flora of the great plains*. University of
Kansas, University Press of Kansas, Lawrence.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources. *Ohio's trees, northern catalpa
(Catalpa speciosa*).
([http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/forestry/trees/catalpa_nthrn/tabid/5349/Default.aspx]{.underline})
\[online: cited 24 March 2005\].

Oklahoma Biological Survey. *Catalpa speciosa (Warder) Warder ex
Engelm*. (h[ttp://www.biosurvey.ou.edu/shrub/casp8.htm]{.underline})
\[online: cited 24 March 2005\]. University of Oklahoma, Norman.

Paclt, J. 1952. Synopsis of the genus Catalpa (Bignoniaceae) III.
*Candolea* 13: 242-285.

Radford, A.E., H.E. Ahles, and C. R. Bell. 1968. *Manual of the vascular
flora of the Carolinas*. University of North Carolina, University of
North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.

Rehder, A. 1967. *Manual of cultivated trees and shrubs in North
America*. The MacMillan Company, New York.

Riffle, J.W. and G.W. Peterson. 1986. *Diseases of trees in the great
plains*. General Technical Report RM-129. p. 14, 44, 47, 49. *In* USDA
Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort
Collins.

Sargent, C.S. 1965. *Manual of the trees of North America*, vol. 2,
Dover Publications, Inc. New York.

Scott, C.A. 1912. *The hardy catalpa*. Kansas Agricultural Experiment
Station. Circular No. 20, 20p.

Seiler, J.R., E.C. Jensen, and J.A. Peterson. *Catapla speciosa (Warder)
Warder ex Engelm*.
(<http://www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/cspeciosa2.htm>)
\[online: cited 24 March 2005\]. Virginia Tech Forestry Department.

Stephens, H.A. 1969. *Trees, shrubs, and woody vines in Kansas*.
University of Kansas, University Press of Kansas, Lawrence.

Stephenson, A.G. 1982. The role of the extrafloral nectaries of catalpa
speciosa in limiting herbivory and increasing fruit production.
*Ecology* 63(3):663-669.

Steyermark, J. A. 1975. *Flora of Missouri*. The Iowa State University
Press, Ames, Iowa, USA.

University of Illinois. *Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)*.
(<http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/treeselector/index_tree.cfm?id=30>)
\[online: cited 24 March 2005\]. University of Illinois Extension.

USDA-ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. *Taxon: Catalpa speciosa
(Warder ex Barney) Warder ex Englelm*.
(<http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?9592>) \[online:
cited 24 March 2005\]. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory,
Beltsville.

USDA-FS. 1948. *Woody-plant seed manual*. U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C.

USDA. 1949. p. 68, 755 *In*: *Trees: the yearbook of agriculture*. U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database. *PLANTS profile for Catalpa speciosa
(northern catalpa)*
([http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch?keywordquery=catalpa+speciosa&mode=sciname&submit.x=18&submit.y=10]{.underline})
\[online: cited 24 March 2005\].

USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database. *Conservation plant characteristics for:
Catalpa speciosa (Warder) Warder ex Engelm*.
([http://plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=CASP8]{.underline})
\[online: cited 24 March 2005\].

USDA NRCS. 2002. *PLANTS Database*, Version 3.5
([http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)) \[online: cited 27
June 2005\]. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge.

Wisconsin Botanical Information System. *Taxon-Catalpa speciosa (Warder
ex Barney) Warder ex Engelm*.
(<http://www.botany.wisc.edu/wisflora/scripts/detail.asp?SpCode=CATSPE>)
\[online: cited 24 March 2005\]. University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin
State Herbarium, Madison.

Young, J.A. and C.G. Young. 1992. *Seeds of woody plants in North
America*. Dioscorides Press, Portland.

##### Prepared By:  {#prepared-by .Header-3}

*Dr. Wayne A. Geyer*, Kansas State University Forestry Division,
Manhattan, Kansas

##### 

##### *Patrick J. Broyles,* Formerly USDA NRCS Manhattan Plant Materials Center, Manhattan, Kansas

##### Species Coordinator:  {#species-coordinator .Header-3}

##### *John Row*, USDA NRCS Manhattan Plant Materials Center, Manhattan, Kansas

##### Edited: 27June05 rln; 01jun06 jsp; 081203 jsp {#edited-27june05-rln-01jun06-jsp-081203-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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