THE CATALPAS 



THERE are two species of Catalpas in the United States, 

 somewhat unlike in economic value and botanical charac- 

 teristics, but bearing a close resemblance in general ap- 

 pearance. One is Catalpa speciosa, commonly called Hardy 

 Catalpa, and the other Catalpa bignonioides, widely known 

 as Bean-tree. Neither is cut into lumber to any notable 

 extent, their value lying in the rapidity of growth and the 

 durability of the wood when in contact with the ground. 

 These features render them of enough importance to justify 

 classing them with the timber trees of the country. 



Catalpa speoiosa was originally found only in southern 

 Illinois, southern Indiana, western Kentucky, northwestern 

 Tennessee, northeastern Arkansas, and eastern Missouri, 

 but by cultivation it has been spread over a much larger area. 

 The region of its best development is in its natural range. 

 It is the more important of the two species, but appears to be 

 quite variable in its character. In some sections it develops 

 a straight stem, with a full height of one hundred and 

 twenty feet and a diameter of four feet or more, while in 

 others it will insist on growing crooked, with large special- 

 ized crooked branches and limbs. It prefers a rich, moist 

 soil, such as may be found along streams and around ponds, 

 even submitting to occasional inundations without injury. 

 It is both light- and moisture-demanding. 



It is quite probable that more Catalpa trees have been 

 planted in this country during the last few years, than of 

 any other forest species, but, unfortunately, success has by 

 no means always followed the effort. It is claimed by some 

 that the wrong species has been planted that Catalpa big- 

 nonioides has been substituted for Catalpa speciosa. This 

 may be the case, and largely so, too, for there is a great 

 similarity in the trees, but it is certainly known that there 





