+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ## Northern catalpa {#northern-catalpa .Title-Header}                 |
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| *Catalpa speciosa* (Warder) Warder ex Englm.                          |
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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="2.6631944444444446in"
height="4.004861111111111in"}

##### J.S. Peterson @ plants.usda.gov {#j.s.-peterson-plants.usda.gov .Header-3}

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

Hardy catalpa, western catalpa, Catawba, cigar tree, Indian bean tree,
Indian cigar

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

Northern catalpa is primarily used today as a large ornamental shade
tree. It is widely planted in urban areas as a street and lawn tree.
Conservation uses include plantings in mined-land reclamation projects
and shelterbelts.

##### 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).

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

##### 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.

#####  {#section-1 .Header-3}

##### Description and Adaptation {#description-and-adaptation .Header-3}

######## A member of the Trumpet-creeper Family (Bignoniaceae), northern catalpa is a perennial deciduous tree which readily grows in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8. The height at 20 years is about 20 feet. 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. 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 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, heart-shaped tropical looking without any lobes and are yellowish
green in color. Leaves are generally opposite on large branches and
often whorled in 3 on young stems. They turn an undistinguished yellow
in the fall before dropping.

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.

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 shape and color of the mature seedpod gives rise to the
common name of cigar tree.

It has been extensively propagated for over 200 years. It can now be
found in most states east of the Rocky Mountains and in Utah.

##### 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}

Larva of the catalpa sphinx caterpillar (*Ceratomia catalpae*) eats
leaves. Almost complete defoliation may occur in some years.

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

Brown leaf spots on leaves are often created by the fungi *Macrosporium
catalpae*. Catalpa is also susceptible to the decay fungus *Polystictus
versicolor*. 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. Catalpa midge
(*Cecidomyia catalpae* Comstock) causes leaf spots, injures terminal
buds and branch tips, as well as seeds in the pods.

##### 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.

#####  {#section-2 .Header-3}

##### 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.

##### 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.

##### 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; 01June 06 jsp; 081121 jsp {#edited-27june05-rln-01june-06-jsp-081121-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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large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
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*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
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*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Conservation
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