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European Mountain Ash vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)
Sorbus aucuparia
Catalpa speciosa
NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON
European Mountain Ash is an attractive, ornamental tree. This medium-sized tree produces tiny white-yellow flowers in the spring and decorative clusters of small red/orange berries in the summer. Its bitter fruit is often used to make Rowan Jelly, is a traditional garnish for wild game and venison. Ideal for residential lots, European Mountain Ash will attracts birds to your property.
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.