Discovery Japanese Elm vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)

Discovery Japanese Elm is great for anyone who doesn't have a lot of time to maintain their trees as it doesn't drop many seeds. It has beautiful dark green foliage and is resistant to Dutch Elm Disease. This elm is similar in shape to the American Elm but is roughly 30% smaller. Instead of having an irregular and broad-shaped crown as other Japanese Elms do, the Discovery Japenses Elm has symmetrical branching, an upright growth form, and develops a classic vase-like crown.

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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