Northern Catalpa
Arbor Walk #10, TreeKeeper ID #1781
This native tree is coarse in texture with very large leaves and long capsule type fruit. Its white bell-shaped flowers are very dramatic during the early summer.
The Northern Catalpa has a very limited range within the United States, stretching from Northern Illinois to Tennessee and Southern Arkansas. It has one of the most temperate ranges of Bignoniaceae (trumpet vine family) in the Americas, and the farthest north of any tree in the family.
Read Howard Nemerov’s LEARNING THE TREES about the Catalpa.
| Common Name | Northern Catalpa |
|---|---|
| Latin Name | Catalpa speciosa |
| Indigenous Name(s) | Miami: maamankipakahki |
| Cultivar/Variety | |
| Commercial Name |
Global Distribution
GPS Coordinates
N/A
Percent Concrete
N/A
Distance to Buildings
| Year | Close Building #1 | Close Building #2 | Close Building #3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Olin Library, 11.29 m | Louderman Hall, 21.84 m | Cupples II Hall, 48.56 m |
Distance to Other Species
| Year | Close Species #1 | Close Species # 2 | Close Species # 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Northern Catalpa, 7.59 m | Eastern Royal White Redbud, 8.34 m | Eastern Royal White Redbud, 10.19 m |
Standard Measurements
| Year | Height (m) | DBH (cm) | Caliper (m) | Crown Diameter N-S (m) | Crown Diameter E-W (m) | Average Crown Diameter (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 17.9986 | 108.28 | N/A | 17.29 | 14.81 | 16.05 |
| 2023 | 20.5 | 102.0 | N/A | 16.38 | 15.21 | 15.795 |
| 2024 | 20.89 | 101.6 | N/A | 16.48 | 16.51 | 16.495 |
Nests and Pests
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 large cankers Thick moss, algae, and lichen on the trunk base Lots of green algae on the largest lower branches At base of roots, some dark rotting was revealed A hollow in the tree is a hub for algal and fungal growth A dark patch of algae/bacteria on the trunk bark Massive twisting gash up the trunk of the tree, exposing wood to dark algae/fungus Hole/scar in the center of the exposed wood section |
Leaf Identification
The Northern Catalpa has large, whorled, slightly cordate leaves with a long point. The leaves are simple, opposite, dark green on top, and lighter green and pubescent underneath.
Twig and Bud Identification
The twigs are green when young and turn reddish brown with age. They are smooth, have light lenticels (pores), and an absent terminal bud.
Bark Identification
The bark is lined with gray, coarse, scaly ridges.
Fruit Identification
The fruits of the Northern Catalpa are distinct, long, dark brown seedpods that contain multiple papery seeds with two wings which will disperse when the pod splits open.
Flower Identification
The Northern Catalpa has showy, bell-shaped and lobed white flowers with purple spots. They have an irregular shape and arrangement that looks slightly crumpled.
