Chinese Catalpa
Catalpa ovata
Chinese Catalpa (Catalpa ovata) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 20–30 ft tall and 20–30 ft wide, fast-growing, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun.
low to medium water20–30 ft tall and 20–30 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: "Catalpa ovata tree 1" by Peter coxhead is marked with CC0 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en/.
- Photo 2: "Catalpa ovata" by Tim Sheerman-Chase is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 3: "Catalpa ovata-IMG 20180525 171720" by Sun Jiao (Interaccoonale) is licensed under CC BY 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
- Photo 4: (c) Brandon Corder, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Brandon Corder
- Photo 5: "Catalpa ovata 1" by bastus917 (영철 이) is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 6: (c) Marco Mussita, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Marco Mussita
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- low
- Wind tolerance
- low
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Tolerates
- Hot south- or west-facing walls
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 20–30 ft tall and 20–30 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~30 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Lifespan
- Medium
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early summer
- Bloom color
- white, yellow, purple
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Site factors to consider
- Watch: Short LivedFast but not forever; this one runs short lived here, so enjoy it and plan a successor rather than treating it as a legacy tree.
Common problems on the Front Range
No major pest or disease problems are commonly reported for this plant on the Front Range. Keep it well sited and watered, and watch for the usual stress-driven issues in drought or heat.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply every 7–10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1–2×/month October–March when soil is dry and unfrozen, winter desiccation is a top killer of newly-planted trees. Year 3: taper to 2×/month in summer, then rely on natural precipitation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Chinese Catalpa good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Chinese Catalpa is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Chinese Catalpa get?
- It matures to about 20–30 ft tall and 20–30 ft wide.
- How much room does Chinese Catalpa need?
- Give Chinese Catalpa about 30 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Chinese Catalpa grow into?
- Chinese Catalpa typically grows into a broad, rounded crown, the classic shade-tree silhouette. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Chinese Catalpa hardy on the Front Range?
- Chinese Catalpa is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Chinese Catalpa need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Chinese Catalpa grow?
- Chinese Catalpa is a fast-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Chinese Catalpa live?
- Chinese Catalpa has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is Chinese Catalpa native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Chinese Catalpa deer-resistant?
- Chinese Catalpa is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Chinese Catalpa prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Chinese Catalpa has no major pest or disease problems commonly reported on the Front Range. Keep it well sited and watered, and watch for stress-driven issues in drought or heat.
