Klondike Amur Cherry vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) - TreeTime.ca

Klondike Amur Cherry vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)

Catalpa speciosa

Prunus maackii Jefdike

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)
Klondike Amur Cherry

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.

The Klondike Amur Cherry is an attractive cultivar which features showy, peeling gold bark and textured oval leaves that turn bright yellow in fall. It blooms with fragrant white flowers in mid spring, and produces tiny, tart black berries through the summer. The Klondike Amur Cherry was bred to have improved stem strength and stronger branching.

This tree makes a great addition to urban gardens and commercial planting, and is immune to black knot.

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) Quick Facts

Klondike Amur Cherry Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 2a
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium


Fall colour: yellow
Bark: golden
Flowers: white
Flowers: white, fragrant
Berries: tiny, black clusters
Flavor: tart
Harvest: July
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: cigar tree, hardy catalpa, western catalpa