Brandon Elm vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)

Brandon Elm is a hardy and adaptable tree. Its dark green foliage turns brilliant gold in the fall.

This cultivar of the American Elm is long-lived and fast growing. Due to its smaller and more compact form than its cousin, the American Elm, Brandon Elm it is often preferred for home landscapes where it can command the extra money required to propagate it.

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.

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