The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-09
FARM AND
GARDEN ~
INTERESTS
Growing of CataIpa Trees.

w. Ilncner, In ArDOrlculture.
Description: Catalpa (speciosa) is readily
distinguished from the other species by the
following characteristics: First, the tree
grows 70 a much greater height and diam
eter with fewer number of branches and
seedpods. Second. they come into bloom
from ten days to two weeks earlier than
other sorts. Third. the pods usually come
in twos and threes. are quite large, some
Of them being fully eighteen inches long,
the seed being about one-third larger, with
the end hairs not drawn to a point. as in
the common sort, catalpa (Bigonioides)
Fourth the bark being furrowed and adj
heres closely to the trunk, similar to the
green ash or box elder. Catalpas with
scaly bark belong to the less valuable spe-
cies. Fifth, catalpas do not leaf out until
quite late; the leaves drop with the first
hard frost When in full leaf the color
and size of the foliage produces a tropical
effect.
When in contact with the ground the
wood is very durable Much has been
written citing cases where the wood from
well-matured trees, grown in the Wabash
valley, lasting more than fifty years. The
wood from young trees will not last so
we have data enough to assure us that
young catalpa will outlast the best oak.
l have used young catalpa posts since the
spring of 1894, and they are still in good
| condition. Nov. 10. 1902 Late summer and
| early winter is the best time to cut post
and pole timber. Catalpa cut in spring
or early summer will not make as lasting
| posts. The wood is valuable for all
| inside as well as outside work 1t is espe-
| cially beautiful for interior finish or rail-
road cars, making one OF the most artistc
pieces of woodwork TO be found anywhere.
| For furniture 1t cannot be excelled; how
| ever, 1T is a little light in color for some
| uses. 1t will be sought after for interior
| finish on fine buildings, is almost as easily
| wrought as white pine and much rlcher In
| grain color. Young trees can be used for
posts, small poles, rake tongue, hayrack.
hoe handles, etc The wood makes fairly
| good fire, but cannot be compared with oak
or hickory for firewood.
| The inferior character of many seeds and
| seedlings. together with the early practice
of planting trees in the permanent planta-
| ton AKA feet, has caused more trouble TO
tree growers than everything else COM
| bined. The seed of the inferior sorts being
much easier TO gather, many seedsmen
| have sold such seed as catalpa (speciosa.)
| In 1885 / planted 100000 trees. they were
bought for the tall, erect growing tree,
when to my surprise, fully one-half are the
be taken in gathering the seed. OF late
years L only buy my seedlings from
| nurseryman who gathers all his own seed
| / find ii much cheaper than to grow my
own seedlings.
During the last twenty years much has
| been written about the growth of the
catalpa. 1 believe for post and pole stock
| that fairly good prairie soil will give the
best results. Because of the more exposed
| situations, the trees make tougher piece
of timber than If grown on richer ground
| The sandy bottomland of eastern Kansas
! and western Missouri is an ideal place
| to grow catalpa for lumber purposes. With
| proper management the best soil will pro-
duce LOCO feet of lumber per acre for each
seasons growth; that is. a well-growr
| catalpa forest will produce 10000 feet pei
acre in thirty years from time of planting
Post stock can be taken out after the tenth
| and pole stock the fifteenth year. The
skeptic will say of all artificial forest
grown in the West not one of them has
averaged 800 feet per acre for each seasons
! growth. i admit the fact, but we must re-
member the lessons we have learned and
paid for during these twenty years. The
| harrington forests in eastern Kansas are
now on an average of twenty-one years OF
age, and should be producing four times
| their present rate of lumber making. They
! are only at point where the growth is
fine for posts and small telephone poles
and railroad ties. These forests are moi
situated on the best land, 1t being at thu
time Of their establishment a high oper
Ing south wind during most of the growing
season. At the same time we have many
thousand of catalpa trees growing in
Kansas that will average one inch In
diameter for each seasons growth sine,
they were planted as seedlings
| / believe the development of the middle
West during the next twenty-five years will
call for millions of posts and small tele.
phone poles for the progressive farmer
who must of necessity be connected will
the local telephone company at his county
! seat. The lasting qualities of the catalina
make 1t especially valuable for such pur.
poses. 1t is one of the easiest trees grown
and i see no good reason why millions OF
them should not be grown, for the abov,
and many other reasons.