Horse Chestnut vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) - TreeTime.ca

Horse Chestnut vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)

Catalpa speciosa

Aesculus hippocastanum

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CUSTOM GROW

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)
Horse Chestnut

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 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.

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) Quick Facts

Horse Chestnut Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 3a
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Height: 12 m (39 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: most parts of plant are toxic
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Flowers: white
Nuts: large spiky nuts
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: cigar tree, hardy catalpa, western catalpa