Northern Catalpa

General
Scientific Name: Catalpa speciosa
Family: Bignoniaceae (Catalpa)
Hardiness: Zone 4
Leaves: Deciduous
Plant Type: Tree
Growth
Rate: Medium
Mature Height: 25-45’
Longevity: Short
Power Line: No
Ornamental
Flowers: White
Fruit: Long bean-like green to brown
Fall Color: Yellow

A medium- to large-sized tree native to the eastern United States, considered borderline hardy for most of North Dakota except the southeastern quarter. An attractive tree with "orchidlike" flowers that bloom in May-June. Further east, catalpa can become a very large tree, but in North Dakota it rarely exceeds 40 feet - or more commonly, less than 30 feet.

Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Water: Prefers moist, well drained soils.
Soil: Adaptable to a wide variety of soils.

The northern catalpa has a difficult time with extremely hot and dry environments.

It has been widely planted in urban areas farther south as a street tree and lawn tree, and can also be effectively used in the landscape for difficult areas such as moist low spots or dry areas with poor soils.