Thunderchild Flowering Crab vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) - TreeTime.ca

Thunderchild Flowering Crab vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)

Malus x adstringens Thunderchild

Catalpa speciosa

Thunderchild Flowering Crab
Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)

Thunderchild Flowering Crab is a hybrid crab apple known for its attractive and fragrant dark pink blossoms and deep purple mature leaves.

Tree farmers will find this hybrid appealing as a pollinator for other apples, while home growers will enjoy the red pome's ability to attract flocks of Cedar Waxwings in the early spring.

This species is reportedly resistant to fireblight.

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.

Thunderchild Flowering Crab Quick Facts

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) Quick Facts

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Zone: 3a
Zone: 4a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: dark red
Berries: small red pomes that hang through the winter
Flowers: dark pink blossoms
Flowers: white
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: low




Other Names: cigar tree, hardy catalpa, western catalpa