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Northern Catalpa
The Northern Catalpa tree, Catalpa speciosa, is now naturalized in urban and rural areas and is primarily used today as a large ornamental shade tree. Farmers introduced Northern Catalpa to Ohio in order to produce large amounts of relatively lightweight timber for fenceposts, since the wood is very resistant to rotting. This deciduous tree is also known as Hardy Catalpa, Western Catalpa, Cigar Tree, and Catawba-Tree. It may reach heights of 70 feet tall and 40 feet wide. As a member of the Bignonia Family, it is related to Trumpet Vine, Royal Paulownia, and other species of Catalpa, all of which are known for their showy flowers. Northern Catalpa trees are a very fast growing trees with large heart-shaped leaves. The white flowers are on 4-8 inch long panicles in late June. Fruit is a long pod. Very tolerant of tough conditions. ... get more information
Sugarberry The Sugarberry tree, Celtis laevigata, is also commonly called sugar hackberry or southern hackberry or Mississippi hackberry. Sugarberry trees are basically a southern version of common or northern hackberry. The Sugarberry tree differs from common hackberry because the fruits are juicier and sweeter, bark is less corky, and leaves are narrower with mostly smooth margins. It has better resistance to witches’ broom and less winter hardiness. Sugarberry is a medium to large sized deciduous tree that typically grows 60-80’ tall with upright-arching branching and a rounded spreading crown. The trunk diameter ranges from 1-3' and the mature gray bark develops a warty texture. Female flowers give way to an often abundant fruit crop of round fleshy berry-like drupes maturing to deep purple. Fruits are attractive to a variety of wildlife, especially birds. Fleshy parts of the fruit are edible and sweet. Leaves are glossy to dull green leaves (2-4” long) and have a yellow fall color. |
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