Is this a Catalpa tree?
by Gail
+26
The builders planted these trees almost 4 years ago and I never knew what they were. They have multi-branched trunks and are about 10 ft high, just now ending their blooming cycle. Any info you can give me would be helpful. btw....love this site. :)
28 answers
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Never seen that type of tree before. I just searched up catalpa trees and it does look like it.
![MakerDon]()
MakerDon
on Jul 17, 2013
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Does it have a fragrance?
![Cheryl]()
Cheryl
on Jul 17, 2013
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It does look like a catalpa leaf. The flowers should look almost like an orchid when in full bloom.
![Douglas Hunt]()
Douglas Hunt
on Jul 18, 2013
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That actually looks like my Linden tree.
![Glenda Kuenstler Fahey]()
Glenda Kuenstler Fahey
on Jul 18, 2013
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If this pic was taken in the spring it's probably a Fringe tree or in Tx we call it Gransie Gray Beard. It grows wild here in East Texas.
![Cynthia]()
Cynthia
on Jul 18, 2013
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Not a catalpa.
![Betty Fancher]()
Betty Fancher
on Jul 18, 2013
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Looks like a Basswood to me. That funky leaf type thing below the flower is a dead give away. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/extension/4h/trees/American_basswood/smbasswood_branch_lg.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/extension/4h/trees/American_basswood/index.html&h=457&w=421&sz=41&tbnid=h9eoWgXh_iLVTM:&tbnh=96&tbnw=88&zoom=1&usg=__Cr_C_EMFhtBvqe4ZO-v3LLstee0=&docid=_cVCM4J6o0yfwM&sa=X&ei=H_TnUbXtMYPEyQHk_4GQDA&ved=0CCwQ9QEwAA&dur=1998
![KMS Woodworks]()
KMS Woodworks
on Jul 18, 2013
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How close are they to your house? Just curious if they are a Basswood, those get pretty darn big
![360 Sod (Donna Dixson)]()
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Jul 18, 2013
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Catalpa trees have large leaves and very long green seed pods that hang down. That tree looks sort of like a Mimosa tree.
![Sue C]()
Sue C
on Jul 18, 2013
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Mimosas have frond-like leaves here in SC. The leaves resemble the Paulomia (I keep finding many names for this tree), only mine blooms at the very top!
![Melissa K]()
Melissa K
on Jul 18, 2013
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It is not a catalpa, we have one and it isn't even close to it.
![Paul M]()
Paul M
on Jul 19, 2013
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Catalpa leaves do not have serrated edges. Like some of the others said, you will have long (think 1 ft long) seed pods if it is a catalpa and the flowers do resemble a lily. I'd go with not a catalpa.
![Melanie T]()
Melanie T
on Jul 19, 2013
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I agree with Glenda, looks like a Linden Tree.
![Gloria W]()
Gloria W
on Jul 19, 2013
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If it's a linden the smell would have been glorious.
![Douglas Hunt]()
Douglas Hunt
on Jul 19, 2013
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Not a Catalpa. We had one and the pods are at least a foot long or longer. The pods turn brown and the leaves are huge. It was quite messy in the fall of the year as I recall.
![Gloria]()
Gloria
on Jul 19, 2013
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If it's a Linden, you are so lucky! The flowers make a wonderful herbal tea - calming and tasty - can also make medicinal tinctures - I've only used the dried - have never actually seen the tree although have looked for one......
![NancyLee]()
NancyLee
on Jul 19, 2013
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linden
![Claudia]()
Claudia
on Jul 19, 2013
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Definitely not a catalpa. I think it is a Linden.
![Libbytoussant]()
Libbytoussant
on Jul 19, 2013
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Linden = Basswood http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/trees/handbook/th-3-123.pdf
![KMS Woodworks]()
KMS Woodworks
on Jul 19, 2013
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looks just like my Linden tree. The flowers are so wonderfully fragrant! Ontario, Canada
![Janet Harris]()
Janet Harris
on Jul 19, 2013
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yes its called a big leaf Linden tree and builders plant them in subdivisions because they are so hardy and fast growing. We have been here 8 years and when ours was planted it was maybe 7 foot tall. Now its probably 15 feet and filling out well and this year I've noticed those flowers on it for the first time.
![Glenna Kennedy]()
Glenna Kennedy
on Jul 19, 2013
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Sure looks like my Linden tree - ah such a beauty - bees love it - birds love it and I love it.
![Joan Price]()
Joan Price
on Jul 19, 2013
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Linden
![Janette]()
Janette
on Jul 19, 2013
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Not a Catalpa tree. Have one in our front yard and is over 100 yrs old. Has large heart shaped leaves, gets orchid like flowers in spring and long bean pods later.
![Diane]()
Diane
on Jul 19, 2013
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Well it definetley is not a catalpa I believe Linden Catalpa leaves are very large look nothing like the leaves you are showing.
![Cindy tustin]()
Cindy tustin
on Jul 19, 2013
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Maybe a cottonwood tree!
![Mikell Paulson]()
Mikell Paulson
on Jul 19, 2013
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our Catalpa tree has much larger leaves. There are thousands of caterpillars that eat the leaves every year. Fishermen love them for bait!
![Sherry S]()
Sherry S
on Jul 19, 2013
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If it was a Catalpa it would also have the long seed pods hanging down and I don't see those.
![Karen]()
Karen
on Jul 20, 2013
MakerDon
on Jul 17, 2013
Cheryl
on Jul 17, 2013
Douglas Hunt
on Jul 18, 2013
Glenda Kuenstler Fahey
on Jul 18, 2013
Cynthia
on Jul 18, 2013
Betty Fancher
on Jul 18, 2013
KMS Woodworks
on Jul 18, 2013
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Jul 18, 2013
Sue C
on Jul 18, 2013
Melissa K
on Jul 18, 2013
Paul M
on Jul 19, 2013
Melanie T
on Jul 19, 2013
Gloria W
on Jul 19, 2013
Gloria
on Jul 19, 2013
NancyLee
on Jul 19, 2013
Claudia
on Jul 19, 2013
Libbytoussant
on Jul 19, 2013
Janet Harris
on Jul 19, 2013
Glenna Kennedy
on Jul 19, 2013
Joan Price
on Jul 19, 2013
Janette
on Jul 19, 2013
Diane
on Jul 19, 2013
Cindy tustin
on Jul 19, 2013
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