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Bristlecone Pine vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)
Pinus aristata
Catalpa speciosa
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Bristlecone Pine is a small to medium evergreen with an irregular habit and contorted branches.
This extremely long-lived tree is relatively low maintenance and drought-tolerant.
It is known for its deep green to blue-green needles flecked with white resin, and its thin, scaly, grey-brown bark. Because it is extremely slow-growing, Bristlecone Pine is well suited to smaller properties.
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.