Northern Catalpa, Western Catalpa                ka-TAL-pa spe-see-OO-sa

• Broadleaf deciduous tree, 40-60 ft (12-18 m), irregular oval crown, coarse.   Leaves opposite or whorled, simple, very large, entire, ovate to ovate-oblong, 15-30 cm x 7.5-20 cm, long acuminate, glabrous above, densely pubescent below.   White tube-shaped flowers borne in large upright terminal panicles.  Long fruit pods, to 40 cm long or more, 1.5 cm wide, thick walled, persist.
• Sun and partial shade.  Very tolerant of soil type, but prefers deep, moist, fertile soil.  Withstands wet or dry and alkaline conditions and extremely hot, dry environments.  Short lived, 50 years above average.
• Hardy to USDA Zone 4     Native to Illinois and Indiana to western Tennessee and northern Arkansas.
• Oregon State Univ. campus: west side of Burt Hall (Orchard & 27th).