Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND®
Catalpa speciosa
Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® (Catalpa speciosa) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 40–60 ft tall and 20–40 ft wide, fast-growing, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Big leaves shred in hail; brittle wood breaks in wind and heavy snow. Plant where summer storms are buffered and away from structures.
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At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended
- Botanical name
- Catalpa speciosa
- Variety / cultivar
- Northern/Western, HEARTLAND®
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 40–60 ft tall and 20–40 ft wide
- Mature form
- Irregular / open
- Spacing / clearance
- ~40 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Lifespan
- Medium
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- low
- Wind tolerance
- low
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- white, yellow, purple
- Bloom time
- early summer
- Pollinator value
- high
- Tolerates
- Hot south- or west-facing walls
Site factors to consider
- Watch: Short LivedFast but not forever; this one runs short lived here, so enjoy it and plan a successor rather than treating it as a legacy tree.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Common problems on the Front Range
No major pest or disease problems are commonly reported for this plant on the Front Range. Keep it well sited and watered, and watch for the usual stress-driven issues in drought or heat.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply every 7–10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1–2×/month October–March when soil is dry and unfrozen, winter desiccation is a top killer of newly-planted trees. Year 3: taper to 2×/month in summer, then rely on natural precipitation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® get?
- It matures to about 40–60 ft tall and 20–40 ft wide.
- How much room does Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® need?
- Give Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® about 40 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® grow into?
- Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® typically grows into an irregular, picturesque outline that varies from plant to plant. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® hardy on the Front Range?
- Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® grow?
- Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® is a fast-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® live?
- Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® deer-resistant?
- Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Catalpa, Northern/Western, HEARTLAND® has no major pest or disease problems commonly reported on the Front Range. Keep it well sited and watered, and watch for stress-driven issues in drought or heat.
