European Mountain Ash vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) - TreeTime.ca

European Mountain Ash vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)

Sorbus aucuparia

Catalpa speciosa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

European Mountain Ash
Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)

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.

European Mountain Ash Quick Facts

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 4a
Height: 15 m (49 ft)
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium


Fall colour: reddish-orange
Flowers: small white flowers in clusters
Flowers: white
Berries: bunches of berries
Seeds: located within the fruit
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: quickbeam, rowan
Other Names: cigar tree, hardy catalpa, western catalpa