Green Ash vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) - TreeTime.ca

Green Ash vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)

Catalpa speciosa

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)
Green Ash

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.

Green ash is a fast growing tree with incredible golden yellow leaves in fall. This tree is native to the prairies and is well suited for drought and cold. Green ash can also tolerate soil compaction, periods of flooding and a wide variety of soils including alkaline. This makes green ash ideally suited for use in urban environments.

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) Quick Facts

Green Ash Quick Facts

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Zone: 4a
Zone: 2b
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Height: 18 m (60 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 12 m (40 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: low
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium


Fall colour: bright yellow in early fall
Flowers: white
Seeds: seeds located within samaras
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


In row spacing: 1.8 - 2.4 m (6 - 8 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, PE
Other Names: cigar tree, hardy catalpa, western catalpa
Other Names: downy ash, red ash, swamp ash, water ash