256 PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 



THE CATALPA TREE FOR CROSS-TIES. 



The Pennsylvania Railway Company, while making investigations rela- 

 tive to the planting of forests for the production of cross-ties and lumber, 

 sent officials to examine the Catalpa exhibit of the International Society of 

 Arboriculture at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, which was so complete 

 in its evidence and so convincing that the company has planted a forest of 

 Catalpa spcciosa in Kosciusko county, Indiana. 



Mr. Frank I. Brown, of Fort Wayne, Ind., the lumber agent of the 

 company, made the report, which we here append almost entire. 



CATALPA TREES FOR RAILROAD CROSS-TIES. 



This subject originated through a reference of Mr. Turner, third vice- 

 president, under the date of Nov. 20, 1902, calling attention to letter written 

 by Mr. J. P. Brown, editor of ARBORICULTURE, and the question was referred to 

 the chairman of the Roadway and Ballast Committee for investigation and report. 



INVESTIGATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 



There are at least two distinct varieties of Catalpa trees indigenous to 

 the United States. We have also the Japanese variety, and many hybrids. 

 Bignonioides, the Southern variety, is the most common, growing naturally 

 in all of the Southern States asd much cultivated as a lawn tree throughout 

 the North. Owing to its prevalence, the opinions of most of us relative to the 

 value of Catalpa trees for cross-ties and other commercial purposes are 

 naturally, but erroneously, formed from our familiarity with this variety, 

 which from its low growth and spreading habit is totally worthless as a 

 timber tree. 



Catalpa speciosa, the native forest tree of the lower Wabash valley, is 

 entirely distinct, a much superior variety, and is the only form of the species 

 which should be cultivated for any purpose. All other forms should be 

 avoided. 



The value of this tree was known to the early settlers of that region, who 

 preferred it for almost every purpose for which wood is used, even covering 

 the roofs of their houses with shingles split from Catalpa trees. It was exten- 

 sively used for cross-ties and telegraph poles in constructing the first railways 

 through southern Illinois. Because of this appreciation the natural forests 



