How does catalpa care for us?
Northern Catalpa is traveling into the future, adapting to changes in their ecosystem, holding fast to the many relations in their home. Their names remind us of their long presence in North America: Catalpa is said to come from the Cherokee people’s name for her, Catawba.
Their epithet, speciosa, meaning showy, highlights their glorious display of orchid like flowers, whose purple stripes leading to pollen covered stamen make a runway for pollinators. Blooming quite late in many places when the richness of flowers is coming to an end, they extend the buffet, offering protein-rich pollen and sugar.
Their enormous elephant-ear leaves stand out in northeastern landscapes and help them to capture more sunlight energy to grow very quickly.
During our time of extreme climate shifts, their ease with increased heat, cold, and precipitation will enable them to extend nature’s food basket northward through their bountiful flowers and fruit. As bird and insect habitats change, they will stay arm in arm with them, as the future bears fast upon us. Lets travel this path with Northern Catalpa imagining but not entirely knowing where we are going, taking with us what we need to live a healthy and just life, with companions to care for and who care for us.
How to care for catalpa?
Water:Catalpa’s can tolerate drought and flooding easily.
Mulch: Apply a 2-3 inch mulch ring (away from the trunk) to retain moisture and protect roots from mowers
Prune: You do not need to prune a catalpa, but it helps. Prune young trees to build a strong trunk. Prune older trees to remove dead branches.
Light: Ensure they get at least 4 hours of sun but they prefer full sun to really thrive.
Soil: Flourishes in well-drained soil but they can tolerate lots of soil conditions.