Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District
  • Home
  • About JSWCD
    • History
    • Board of Supervisors >
      • Special Election Forms & Info
    • Staff
    • Newsletters
    • Conservation Partners
    • Contact JSWCD
    • Employment
  • Programs & Services
    • Education >
      • Envirothon
      • Fernwood State Forest Outdoor Days
      • Interactive Playground
      • Stream Monitoring
    • SWCD Watershed Program Grants
    • Septic Information >
      • Septic Information
      • (HSTS) Home Sewage Treatment System Repair/Replacement Program
    • Agriculture >
      • Grazing Management Minute
      • Pasture Walks
    • Urban >
      • Stream Permitting and Activities
      • Stormwater Pollution Prevention (SWP3) Review
      • Public Education/Outreach
      • Public Involvement/Participation
      • Construction Site Runoff
      • Post-Construction Stormwater Runoff
    • Watershed Home
    • Forestry
  • Activities
    • Farmers' gateway Market
    • Annual Meeting
    • Annual Awards
    • Contests >
      • Big Tree Contest
  • Sales
    • Native Tree & Shrub Sale
    • Plat Book and Wall Map
    • Soil Test Kit
    • Fish Sale
    • Site Fee
  • Piney Fork Trail
    • Piney Fork Trail Plank Sponsorship
  • Water Testing
  • Community Investment Plan
  • 2023 Native Tree and Shrub Sale
  • >
  • Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)

Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)

SKU:
$25.73
$25.73
Unavailable
per item

Height: 40 to 60 feet

Spread: 20 to 50 feet

Bloom Time: May to June

Bloom Description: White with purple and yellow interior.

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Suggested Use: Shade Tree

Tolerate: Deer, Drought, Clay Soils, Air Pollution

Native to: Jefferson County

 

The Northern Catalpa stands out in its native Jefferson County, as it is so texturally different than so many of its fellow trees, and when in bloom it puts on a vivid display. The leaves are very light in color are about 12 inches long and 5 inches across.

The flowers of Northern Catalpa are a true showstopper. The 2-inch long bell-shaped orchid-like flowers are white with a purple and yellow spotted interior down the throat of the flower. The tree produces both pollen and nectar in great quantities from the flowers but from the leaves, making it a draw for all pollinators. The flowers give way to long seed pods which can grow to between 12-20 inches long and turn a dark brown, and for many years the tree was also known as a cigar tree.

When Revolutionary War veteran, James Shane, brought his family to Jefferson County in 1798 he ascended the Wills Creek valley (following present day US 22). When the family set up camp for the night at the head of the two ridges they built a fire beneath the canopy of a Northern Catalpa tree. When the pious Shane called his family to prayer before they dined, wolves began to circle the camp smelling the venison cooking on the fire; however, the wolves never challenged the family in prayer and soon left. James Shane declared it an act of the Lord and continued to hold religious ceremonies beneath the Northern Catalpa tree. Soon a church was erected at the spot, known as the Two Ridge Presbyterian Church, which is still active today. While the Northern Catalpa that Shane and his family took refuse under is long gone, but many of its decedents still remain in the area.

When Rueben Gold Thwaites descended the Ohio River in 1897 he wrote in his book Afloat on the Ohio: An Historical Pilgramage of a Thousand Miles in a Skiff, from Redstone to Cairo “…and here and there a catalpa and a pawpaw giving a touch of tropical luxuriance to the hillside forest.”

Northern Catalpa is a host plant to ten species of butterflies and moths; however, its true importance is as a source of pollen and nectar for hummingbirds, bees, and all pollinators. ■

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
Add to Cart
Picture
GENERAL

​
About JSWCD

Contact Us
​Employment
Newsletters
Photo Gallery
​Minutes


PROGRAMS & SERVICES
Agriculture
Urban
Watersheds
Forestry
Education

RESOURCES

​NRCS
Oil & Gas
Links
​
Water Testing

Picture
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

500 Market Street . Mezzanine, Suite 4 . Steubenville, Ohio 43952                           Phone: (740) 264-9790
©2015 Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District.
All rights reserved