Catalpa has very large leaves. Despite its showy tubular flowers, catalpa is often considered a weed tree, popping up in wet ground along backyard fencelines. In Herrontown Woods, it only grows in the Barden.

Description: Northern Catalpa grows 50-120 feet high, with a diameter of 2-5 feet. Leaves are large, hairy and heart-shaped with a long pointed tip and grow opposite or in whorls. They measure between 6-12” and turn yellow in the fall. The bark is pale gray to reddish brown with irregular shallow fissures and scaly and ridged. Flowers are showy and bell-shaped, mostly white with orange stripes and purple spots and stripes and appear in large clusters in spring. Fruits are beanlike, footlong pods,hanging from branches from September until November or later.

Similar species: The non-native Princess-Tree Paulownia tomentosa has nearly identical leaves, however, they are larger and always appear in pairs. The Princess Tree also has rounded, woody seed capsules and purple flowers, which appear before the leaves.

Wildlife Value: The flowers of the catalpa are visited by hummingbirds. It is the sole host of the catalpa sphinx moth

Uses: Ornamental. Were planted for fenceposts, due to their durable wood.