Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)

Catalpa

Family: Bignonia (Bignoniaceae)

Common Names: Northern catalpa, Western catalpa, Catawba, Hardy Catalpa, Indian Bean Tree, Cigar tree

Catalpa is a short-trunked, broad-crowned tree, growing to 50 feet high. Used primarily as an urban shade tree, Catalpa may reach heights of 70 feet tall and 40 feet wide. Formerly ultivated widely in rural areas as a source of rot-resistant, lightweight fence posts.

Catalpa wood is traight grained with light gray-brown or buff-colored heartwood and light cream-colored sapwood, sometimes with an olive tinge. The color differences between growth rings, early to late, which can be very wide. The wood can almost look iridescent as it changes color when viewed from different angles. Soft, weak, and brittle with very good decay resistance and dimensional stability. Exudes a strong creosote-like odor.

Catalpa Turns well. Excellent for working with hand tools — almost on par with white pine or spruce. It also bleaches well. Due to its porosity and softness the bleach goes deep so the raised grain can be sanded and still maintain the lighter "Ginger Ale" tone.

Catalpa jewelry box Mainly used for fence posts, rails, beams, and crating. Also good for turned articles and carving due to softness and stability. Other uses include millwork, framing, forms, secondary furniture wood, and drawer sides. Generally not available as veneer or plywood. Rarely used as a primary cabinet wood. However the fine coloring and figure of the wood suggest it would be suitable. A close cousin of the Northern Catalpa is commonly used in the orient to fashion high-quality furnishings.