American Elm vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) - TreeTime.ca

American Elm vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)

Ulmus americana

Catalpa speciosa

American Elm
Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)

American Elm is fast growing, tall tree with a recognizable and pleasing shape.

It's well suited for urban environments because of its non-invasive roots and ability to grow on harsh sites (quite salt tolerant). American Elm develops a wide, dense canopy that provides shade for many city streets around North America.

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.

American Elm Quick Facts

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $3.99 - SAVE UP TO 43%
Lowest Price: $6.99 - SAVE UP TO 46%
Zone: 2a
Zone: 4a
Height: 30 m (98 ft)
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Spread: 15 m (50 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: bright yellow
Flowers: white
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: very long
Life span: long
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: low




Other Names: water elm, whilte elm
Other Names: cigar tree, hardy catalpa, western catalpa