CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF 121 Second Street Oriskany, NY 13424-9799 ONEIDA COUNTY (315) 736-3394 or (315) 337-2531 FAX: (315) 736-2580 NORTHERN CATALPA Catalpa speciosa The Catalpa was introduced as an ornamental tree because of its large, showy flowers. After the flowers bloom, long, cylindrical pods filled with small winged seeds form. This distinctive fruit hangs on the trees all winter. Hardiness: zones 4 to 8 (9) Growth Rate: Medium to fast. 15' over 7 to 8 year period. Mature Shape: Tree with narrow, open, irregular, oval crown. Height: 40 to 60 feet tall. Width: 20 to 40 feet wide. Site Requirements: Very tolerant of different soil conditions. Prefers deep, moist, fertile soil, but can withstand extremely hot, dry environments. Flowering Dates: May - June Seed Dispersal Dates: Late winter - spring Seed Bearing Age: 20 Years Seed Bearing Frequency: Every 2-3 Years Seed Stratification: Seeds disperse in the spring and immediately germinate. no stratification period is needed Leaves: are 8 to 12 inches long and heart-shaped. Leaves are thick and firm, dark green above and downy beneath. The fruit is a slender, 8 to 20 inch long pod that ripens in early autumn. The pod hangs on the tree all winter and opens in the spring before falling off. Helping You Put Knowledge to Work Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities. NYS College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NYS College of Human Ecology, and NYS College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, Cooperative Extension associations, county governing bodies, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating. Pests and Potential Problems Larvae of the catalpa sphinx caterpillar (Ceratomia catalpae) eat the tree‟s leaves. This causes significantly more nectar than normal to seep out of the damaged leaves. Almost complete defoliation may occur in some years. This increased nectar attracts various species of ants, ladybird beetles and a parasitoid. These predaceous insects attack and/or remove the eggs and young larvae of the catalpa sphinx. The secretion of extrafloral nectar and its subsequent harvesting by insects is mutually beneficial to both the catalpa tree and the predaceous insects. The CATALPA SPHINX is a common hawk or sphinx moth, but it is the caterpillar stage, that is most often encountered and best known. The caterpillars, commonly called catalpa worms or "catawba" worms, feed on leaves of catalpa and often completely strip trees of foliage. Loss of foliage may be serious, especially for shade and ornamental trees and nursery stock. While the catalpa worm is well known as a tree pest, it may be as well or better known to some for its attractiveness to fish. The caterpillars have long been valued for fish bait, and references to their collection by fishermen date back at least to the 1870's when the species was first described. Before planting trees, look up, look down and look right and left. Planting under power lines, close to buildings, sidewalks or septic systems will only mean costly repairs in the future. If your tree grows 45 feet tall, make sure there are no obstructions. If it grows 20 feet wide make sure it has 20 feet of space to spread out. Think of the root system as growing the same size as the canopy. Plant the tree far enough away so that the roots wont damage sidewalks, foundations or septic systems. This publication may contain pesticide recommendations. Changes in pesticide regulations occur constantly, some materials mentioned may no longer be available, and some uses may no longer be legal. All pesticides distributed, sold, and/or applied in New York State must be registered with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Questions concerning the legality and/ or registration status for pesticide use in New York State should be directed to the appropriate Cornell Cooperative Extension Special- ist or your regional DEC office. READ THE LABEL BEFORE APPLYING ANY PESTICIDE. DISCLAIMER: Please note that neither Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County nor any representative thereof makes any representation of any warranty, express or implied, of any particular result or application of the information provided by us or regard- ing any product. If a product is involved, it is the sole responsibility of the User to read and follow all product labeling instructions and to check with the manufacturer or supplier for the most recent information. Nothing contained in this information should be interpreted as an express or implied endorsement of any particular product or criticism of unnamed products. With respect to any information on pest management, the User is responsible for obtaining the most up-to-date pest management information. The information we provide is no substitute for pesticide labeling. The User is solely responsible for reading and following the manufacturer’s labeling and instruc- tions. (October 2009) Updated 2012 lsk12 \Source http://www.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/iowa_trees/trees/catalpa.html http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_casp8.pdf http://www.ag.auburn.edu/enpl/bulletins/catalpasphinx/catalpasphinx.htm .