* . 



PRACTICAL 



ARBORICULTURE 



271 



The matter of first importance, therefore, is to secure seed from tall grow- 

 ing, straight trees, and upon such trees but a small quantity of seed will be 

 found, which is expensive to collect. 



Oriental forms of catalpa seldom exceed twenty feet in height. Big- 

 nonoides has a spreading, very crooked and irregular habit, and possesses far 

 less vitality or stamina than does speciosa. 



TREE SHOWING BARK CHARACTERISTICS OF CATALPA SPECIOSA 



2. The next important means of identification is in the bark of the trees. 

 Speciosa should have a thick, heavy bark, deeply furrowed, the ridges quite 

 prominent as seen in the half-tone illustration above. 



The bark of other varieties is inclined to scale off and does not form 

 ridges. A good illustration of bignonoides is found elsewhere. The real 

 character of the bark is not seen in young trees. 



3. While the trees are in blossom compare the flowers with our colored 

 plate. While speciosa begins to bloom about two weeks before the others 



