The umbrella catalpa tree (Catalpa bungei) is a deciduous tree native to China and other areas of Eastern Asia. Other Common Names. 4 bedroom 2 bath cottage with boat access/docks. Because the wood resists rot, it can also be shaped into long-lived fence posts. One of the most beautiful trees in Michigan is the northern catalpa tree. long (30 cm). The enormous heart-shaped leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color. Northern Catalpa. Right now, in early June, the catalpa tree in my yard is in full bloom, and what a magnificent sight it is! It has a rounded shape and flowers that range in color from white to pink when it blooms in summer. Some flooding and extremely hot, dry conditions can also be tolerated. Catalpa ovata. Catalpa bignonioides. The Catalpa is a very worthwhile choice to grow. Catalpa speciosa ( Northern Catalpa ) A large broadly columnar tree to 80 feet or more, that is native to moist woods, floodplains and swamps of the Mississippi Valley, though naturalized as far north as southern Wisconsin to southern Michigan to Massachusetts. Northern catalpa is very adaptable to adverse conditions, but has weak wood and branch structure. N 42° 44.007 W 084° 33.252. 1994. In the landscape, northern catalpa is very ornamental with large, attractive leaves, showy panicles of spring flowers, and decorative hanging pods in the winter. Northern Catalpa Tree One of the larger flowering trees to choose from here in Michigan is the Northern Catalpa tree . Northern Catalpa. Catalpa is a Midwest native tree grows 40 to 60 feet tall, with a narrow, open, irregularly rounded crown and spreading branches. Northern Catalpa is a deciduous tree with a shapely oval form. Their whorled arrangement (three scars per node) around the twigs is another diagnostic. Growth rate is moderate-fast. Catalpa speciosa, commonly known as the northern catalpa, hardy catalpa, western catalpa, cigar tree, catawba-tree, or bois chavanon, is a species of Catalpa native to the midwestern United States. Capital Catalpa - Lansing, Michigan. Assessing the potential of invasiveness in woody plants introduced in North America. All our flowering and fruiting specimens of clear-cut escapes are this species, although C. bignonioides Walter has frequently been reported from the state. Catalpa speciosa is usually said to have larger corollas (limb 4–6 cm broad), odorless leaves, thicker capsules (12–15 mm wide), and bark on old trees fissured and ridged. It is a good choice for attracting hummingbirds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration; Northern Catalpa is recommended for the following landscape applications; Northern Catalpa will grow to be about 55 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet. On Sunday June 26, I finally had the luck to see honey bees foraging on the back of catalpa leaves. Its giant heart-shaped leaves provide excellent shade, and it’s tall twisting limbs soar high above making it a great backyard patio tree. Award-winning Catalpa speciosa (Northern Catalpa) is a large deciduous tree adorned with a narrow, oval crown and spreading branches clothed with huge, heart-shaped, light green leaves, 12 in. saraTM / Getty Images. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. These large shade trees have enormous, emerald-green, heart-shaped leaves that give you a nice, cool place to relax in the summer. Catalpa Tree Cottage, Rapid City, Michigan. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. Its strikingly bold and coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced landscape composition. Growing 40 to 70 feet tall and 20 to 40 feet wide with an irregular crown and spreading branches, the Northern catalpa has opposite or whorled, yellowish-green, 6- to 12-inch-wide leaves. While it blooms, the Northern Catalpa tree has one of the most beautiful aromas. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 7 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. They are glossy on top and densely hairy on their undersides. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. No one responded. City of Ann Arbor Michigan Parks and Recreation: Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007: Reichard, Sarah. The large leaves make for a great shade tree. This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Those of the Northern Catalpa have wide fringed wings at both ends. The flowers of Catalpa trees have white petals and spots of yellow with purple dots. It has large, heart-shaped leaves and large clusters of fragrant, white flowers. Catalpas are northern members of a tropical family that includes beautiful ornamentals grown in south Florida (for all you Michigan snowbirds) like jacarandas, tabebouias, and the African tulip tree. 47747 ROMEO PLANK ROAD | MACOMB, MI 48044 The beautiful canopy, made up of enormous heart-shaped leaves, offers wonderfully cool shade throughout the heat of summer. The catalpa tree is the last tree to grow leaves in the spring. This unassuming tree seemingly blends into the canopy, until spring. PHONE: (586) 286-3655 | FAX: (586) 286-7299 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. Yellow Catalpa and Japanese Catalpa. Monday - Saturday 9AM to 8PM |Sunday 10AM to 6PM. The winter twigs of northern catalpa are like those of few other trees, having sunken leaf scars that resemble suction cups. Meet Catalpa speciosa, the Northern Catalpa Tree The catalpa blossom. Widely planted even into the Upper Peninsula, and sprouting in disturbed places, mostly in the southern Lower Peninsula, from the copious winged seeds produced; fields, dumps, fencerows, railroads, roadsides, parking lots, thickets, borders of forests, and along streams. Flowering starts after 275 growing degree days . Northern Catalpa is a deciduous tree with a shapely oval form. Catalpa speciosa (Northern Catalpa) grows to 50 feet tall in most … A medium sized shade tree with enormous leaves resulting in a very coarse texture, use where this is required; very showy white and purple orchid-like flowers in early summer, long narrow beanpod-shaped fruit in fall are very ornamental. Deer tolerant. Northern and southern catalpas are very similar in appearance, but the northern species has slightly larger leaves, flowers, and bean pods. Distinctive, large "bean pod" fruits retained into fall. Herbarium specimens lacking fruit and/or carefully pressed flowers as well as notes on odor and bark are inadequate for determination. A unique feature of the Catalpa trees are the bean pods that appear later in … Cigar tree, Catawba Tree, Hardy Catalpa, and Western Catalpa. is an excellent light hardwood with a large percentage of heartwood. Very showy in spring with large groups of white flowers. I do not know if this is a native tree to Lansing, Michigan, but I do know from the book Michigan Trees by Otis that is is a naturalized species here in the Grand River Valley. Growth Rate This tree grows at a medium to fast rate, with height increases of anywhere from … in Exceptional Trees. The northern catalpa can grow in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, silty loam, well-drained, wet and clay soils. Once full grown they can reach a height of 40-70 Feet and 20-50 Feet in spread. Zachary Huang, Michigan State University. Catalpa trees have a large crown that is rounded and upright with heart shape medium flowers. Northern Catalpa (make sure you get the right variety!) Cigar Tree, Catawba Tree, and Indian Bean Tree. University of Washington Ph.D. dissertation. Catalpa ovata from China, with pale yellow flowers, is also planted outside its natural range for ornamental purposes. Posted by: GT.US. Northern Catalpa features showy panicles of fragrant white orchid-like flowers with yellow throats and purple spots rising above the foliage in mid summer. Tree Type Mature Size The northern catalpa grows to a height of 40–60' and a spread of 20–40' at maturity. It typically thrives in Full to Partial Sun and has a 13-24 Inches growth rate per year. In the spring, the northern catalpa puts on a show to please your eyes and your nose. Prefers medium to wet moisture, and sand, loam, and clay soils. The fruits are showy brown pods displayed from mid summer to late winter. Catalpa speciosa Mature height: 4 0′ – 70′ Native to Michigan. Torch Lake rental on the south end of Torch Lake at the mouth of Torch River. The largest living catalpa tree is on the grounds of the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, Mich. This large-leaved tree spreads 50 feet and tolerates hot, dry weather, but leaves may scorch and some drop from the tree in very dry summers. Large panicles of white, trumpet-shaped flowers appear almost overnight. Catalpa speciosa is usually said to have larger corollas (limb 4–6 cm broad), odorless leaves, thicker capsules (12–15 mm wide), and bark on old trees fissured and ridged. Catalpa speciosa. View Map. A wide range of moisture conditions can be tolerated. Height. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up. View waymark gallery. A single older (1934) fruiting collection from a roadside tree in Kalamazoo Co. does appear to be C. bignonioides, but it is not clear that this collection was not from a planted tree. Small vegetative Catalpas are frequently seen on roadsides, shores, and disturbed areas. You can’t go wrong with a Northern Catalpa tree. It grows to 30 feet tall and will tolerate cold temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees F. This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. The Northern Catalpa Tree does well or … What sets Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) trees apart from others is … 146 likes. The flowering trees that are native to Michigan include the Northern catalpa, American basswood, wild black cherry, horse chestnut, flowering dogwood, American mountainash, Eastern redbud, yellow poplar and American mulberry. Large, heart shaped leaves. Sometimes called Cigar trees, Caterpillar trees, and Indian Bean trees, Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) trees grow to be between 40 and 60 feet and prefer either full sun or partial shade. In southern Michigan, the Northern Catalpa is a common native species and the Southern Catalpa is quite rare as a cultivated species. This species is native to parts of North America. There was one post (June 23rd, 2016) of me begging everyone to show me if they saw honey bees foraging on catalpa leaves. Our common catalpa in Albion is the native northern catalpa. Location of Michigan's Big Tree: The largest known Southern Catalpa in Michigan is located behind the house at 101 Division St. in Sparta, MI.