Japanese Tree Lilac vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) - TreeTime.ca

Japanese Tree Lilac vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)

Catalpa speciosa

Syringa reticulata

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Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)
Japanese Tree Lilac

Northern Catalpa is a striking feature tree with showy flowers, and very large leaves. Its orchid-like flowers are white with yellow and purple accents, and they have a pleasant fragrance. They bloom from late spring to early summer and can last up to two weeks, attracting hummingbirds and pollinators. The leaves are very large, ranging from 15-30 cm long, 12-20 cm wide, forming a canopy that makes it a good shade tree.

They can tolerate dry conditions as well as standing water, air pollution, and salt. These factors and its beauty contribute to its growing popularity as both a boulevard and ornamental tree in colder areas.

Northern Catalpa produces long bean-like capsules and are sometimes called the Cigar Tree in reference to this fruit.

Japanese Tree Lilac is an attractive, heavy-flowering lilac with fragrant white blossoms. It can be pruned to a single stem or grown as a multi-stemmed shrub.

Japanese Tree Lilac's dark reddish-brown bark peels as the tree ages, creating visual appeal for any yard, especially in the winter.

This tree is often planted along boulevards and its attractive white flowers signal spring to all who drive by.

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) Quick Facts

Japanese Tree Lilac Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 3a
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 6 m (20 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Flowers: white
Flowers: white with yellow anthers
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: low


In row spacing: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)


Other Names: cigar tree, hardy catalpa, western catalpa