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Horse Chestnut vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)
Aesculus hippocastanum
Catalpa speciosa
ONLY AVAILABLE BY CONTRACT GROW
Horse Chestnut is a medium sized deciduous tree that is native to Greece but has been grown in North America for hundreds of years. It produces large nuts.
A top CO2 absorbing species. Experts think this tree may help climate change more than others.
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.
Horse Chestnut Quick Facts
Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) Quick Facts
Toxicity: most parts of plant are toxic