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Northern Catalpa - Catalpa speciosa
Northern Catalpa - Catalpa speciosa
Picture of Northern Catalpa
Picture of Northern Catalpa
Picture of Northern Catalpa

Northern Catalpa

Zones: 4 - 8
$16.99 Regular Price
Not a member? Join during checkout to save up to 33% on trees in our Tree Nursery with member pricing.
With proper planting and care, we’re here to support your success for 60 days after delivery (shipping fees not included).
Select an option for shipping dates
Bare Root or Potted?

This is a tree that demands your attention. White, showy flowers. Giant heart-shaped leaves. Dangling bean-like seed pods. Twisting trunk and branches. How could you not stop to take it in? While not ideal for every location, this unique and hardy tree is a fast grower that finds a home in parks and yards throughout the country.

  • Produces showy white flowers in late spring and unique, bean-like seed pods in the fall
  • Features large, heart-shaped leaves that are bright green in color
  • Can develop a unique twisting trunk and branches
  • Grows quickly
  • Is hardy enough to withstand city conditions but still add visual interest
Horticulture Zone Map Source Logos
The Northern Catalpa grows in zones 4 - 8

Your Tree’s Personality

Shape

Oval

Growth Speed

Medium to Fast

Scientific Name

Catalpa speciosa

Mature Height

40' - 60'

Mature Spread

20' - 40'

Shipping Height

2' - 3'

Sun Preference

Full Sun, Partial Sun/Shade

Soil Preference

Acidic, Alkaline, Clay, Drought, Loamy, Moist, Rich, Sandy, Silty Loam, Well Drained, Wet

Wildlife Value

The flowers of the catalpa are visited by hummingbirds. It is the sole host of the catalpa sphinx moth. And it provides nutrition for bees in early summer.

History/Lore

The catalpa tree is found in forests from southern Illinois and Indiana to western Tennessee and Arkansas. First cultivated in 1754, the wood was used for fence posts and railroad ties because of its resistance to rot and the tree’s fast growth rate. Common names for this tree are many and colorful—including cigar tree, Indian bean tree, catawba, caterpillar tree, hardy catalpa and western catalpa.

Planting Instructions

Bare-Root Tree

Bare-root trees are shipped without soil around their roots. They are shipped when dormant (sleep state). In this dormant state, deciduous trees may display small buds but not leaves. Roots will come coated in a hydrating gel. Bare-root trees require more attention and care initially to ensure they remain properly watered and protected from extreme weather conditions.

Benefits:
  • Cost-effective
  • Roots re-establish quickly once planted, meaning growth will begin faster
  • Easy to plant at the correct depth
Potted Tree

Potted trees are available in a variety of sizes. Because the roots are packed in soil, the trees do not need to be dormant for shipping. Potted trees often have a more established appearance with leaves and foliage, providing an immediate visual impact on the landscape.

Benefits:
  • Reduced transplant shock
  • Extended shipping/planting season
  • Higher survivability
Which Tree is Right for Me?

With the option of ordering either standard or semi-dwarf trees and either bare-root or potted, be sure to consider the benefits of each option when deciding which is best for you.

Standard Height

Benefits:
  • Also functions as a shade tree
  • Can be planted farther from compatible pollinator
  • Fills a larger space

Semi-Dwarf Height

Benefits:
  • Easier to harvest fruit
  • Bears fruit sooner
  • Fits in a smaller space

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