348 Eleventh Annual Report 



of the many knots. Some persons who are interested in selling 

 catalpa trees have exaggerated the tendency of the catalpa to grow 

 tall and straight. The catalpa does not form a terminal bud and 

 each year's growth is marked by a more or less visible crook. 



The published records of the distribution are as follows: Dela- 

 ware, Jay, Randolph and Wayne* (Phinney); Gibson (Schneck); 

 Knox (Ridgway); Posey (Schneck); Tippecanoe* (Coulter); Vigo 

 (Blatchley). 



Additional records are: Gibson, Knox and Posey (Deam). 



Economic uses. Fence posts, poles and crossties. It is believed 

 that the average life of a forest grown split catalpa post is from 15 

 to 25 years. That the life of a round post that has been grown 

 in the open and has large annual rings will not average more than 

 10-15 years. The lasting qualities of the catalpa post have been 

 exaggerated. In the vicinity where the catalpa was indigenous it 

 was used extensively for post purposes, not entirely on account of 

 its lasting qualities, but because it worked easily and was not valu- 

 able for other purposes. 



Horticultural value. The catalpa transplants easily, grows rap- 

 idly, is adapted to a well drained loam soil, forms a rather narrow 

 and open crown, leaf period begins late and lasts until killing frosts. 

 It has been rather extensively used for ornamental and shade tree 

 purposes on account of its large green leaves and large panicles of 

 flowers. The objections to this tree are the litter the fruiting pods 

 make, and the danger of being defoliated by the catalpa sphinx. 



It has been recommended and extensively used for forest plant- 

 ing. It has also been recommended for reinforcing the wood lot, 

 that is to plant between other trees to thicken up the stand. The 

 catalpa is not shade enduring and when planted in the woods among 

 other trees it is usually suppressed. 



It is adapted to a rich, moist and well drained loam soil. When 

 planted on clay or gravelly soil it grows very slowly. In forest 

 planting if a pure stand is desired the trees should be planted 5x5 

 to 8x8 feet depending upon the quality of the soil, and how quickly 

 it is desired to mature the crop. If the trees are planted close to- 

 gether they will not grow so rapidly. It should be borne in mind 

 that the lasting qualities of the timber is increased by slow growth. 



In forest planting seedlings 12-18 inches long are the most desir- 

 able size to use. The best results are obtained by cultivating and 

 undercropping with corn for the first year or two. Deep culti- 

 vation should not be attempted because the catalpa is a surface 



*From cultivated trees. 



