The funnel-shaped flowers of the trumpet tree, also known as the catalpa tree or catalpa, not only inspire us humans, but also the bees. It can be planted as a bee tree and to provide shade in parks and gardens.
In this article you will find out how you can safely plant, care for and propagate the trumpet tree. However, care should be taken when planting and caring for the trumpet tree, because all parts of the plant are slightly poisonous and can lead to skin irritation. Colloquially, the catalpe is also called the "official tree" - evil tongues claim that, like the trumpet tree, which sprouts late and deciduous early, these come late and go early.
Trumpet tree: flower, origin and properties
The Trumpet Tree (Catalpa bignonioides) is native to southeastern North America and can grow up to 18 meters tall. It is particularly valued as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens because of its trumpet-shaped flowers. The first flower buds appear in May and flowering begins in June. The trumpet tree flower is white with two elongated yellow stripes in the funnel and purple spots in the throat. If the flower is fertilized, elongated, bean-like seed pods form. The tree also has a thick, short trunk and a spreading crown. The heart-shaped leaves reach a length of 20 centimeters.
The trumpet tree grows very quickly, only the 'Nana' variety, as a slow-growing variety, takes a little more time. It can therefore adorn the balcony or terrace as a container plant when young.
The most beautiful Catalpa species and varieties
There are different varieties and species of trumpet tree, each with their own ornamental value.
Gold-Trumpet tree: End of June, beginning of July the Catalpa bignonioides thrives 'Aurea ' out of. The leaves then have a golden yellow color, which changes to a rich green in the course of summer. From the age of ten, it develops its elegant flowers in July. The golden trumpet tree grows to a maximum height of ten meters.
Magnificent trumpet tree: In July the first flowers of the Catalpa speciosa appear. These form a lot of nectar and are often used as bee trees. Its large flowers are good for honey production.
Large-crowned trumpet tree: The Catalpa bungei is still very rare in German parks and gardens, although it has great ornamental value. Its large green crown is particularly suitable for providing shade. As a small tree, it grows five to eight meters high. It forms the first flowers in July.
Yellow Trumpet Tree: TheCatalpa ovata has a broad, rounded crown. The trumpet-shaped flowers appear from July to August. The Yellow Trumpet Tree grows 10 to 15 meters tall.
Ball Trumpet Tree 'Nana': The variety Catalpa bignonioides 'Nana' is one of the most popular of the Trumpet Tree. As the name suggests, the crown of the tree is spherical. It has to be severely cut back every year - as do pollarded limes and pollarded willows. The large, green and heart-shaped leaves adorn parks and gardens, but fruits and flowers are not formed. The tree reaches a height of up to three meters and can also be kept as a container plant.
Tip: Perhaps you have already come across a magnificent tree in a garden that looked like a blue trumpet tree and also had large, blue lipped flowers? In fact, this is very likely the bluebell tree (Paulownia tomentosa). This also belongs to the order of the mint family (Lamiales) and is thus in fact distantly related to the trumpet tree.
Planting a trumpet tree: When, where and how?
The trumpet tree can be planted in spring from the beginning of May. It needs a sunny, warm and sheltered location for this. Since even small varieties can grow tall, it should also have plenty of room to grow. The trumpet tree serves as an excellent source of shade on lawns. It loves fresh, fertile soil, but also does well in drier and nutrient-poor locations.
Before the young tree is planted, it should if possible be placed in a bucket of water so that the root ball can soak up the water . Gloves should be worn for all work with the trumpet tree in order not to be exposed to catalpin, which may irritate the skin.If the trumpet tree is planted outdoors, a planting hole with twice the root ball thickness must be dug. The young plant is planted there so that the root neck is just above the surface of the earth. At least one wooden stake should also be used to support the tree, to which the tree is tied. To keep the moisture in the soil, you can also mulch the root area.
If the trumpet tree is planted in a container, the right substrate should be used. This should be rich in nutrients and not too permeable to water. It is important that the soil holds sufficient but not too much moisture. Our Plantura organic universal soil, for example, achieves this by containing clay flour (bentonite), which can absorb water and release it again if necessary. At the bottom of the bucket you should fill in a drainage layer made of potsherds, pebbles or expanded clay so that excess water can easily drain through the hole in the bucket and prevent waterlogging.
The most important measures for caring for the trumpet tree
With the right care, the trumpet tree can also thrive in our latitudes. Best of all, these aren't as complicated as you might think.
Water and fertilize
The trumpet tree is quite frugal. For he althy growth, the tree should be watered regularly, the substrate should neither dry out nor be too wet. In the case of potted plants, it is also important to ensure that there is no waterlogging. Coasters must not be filled with water.
Tip: The trumpet tree is one of the heat-resistant plants, but the following applies: the sunnier and hotter the location, the more water the trumpet tree needs.
Trumpet trees outdoors are fertilized once a year at the beginning of spring. An organic long-term fertilizer provides the tree with all the important nutrients for months. This contributes to the he alth and growth of the trumpet tree. For example, our primarily organic Plantura organic universal fertilizer is suitable, which promotes he althy soil life and has a natural long-term effect. Potted plants, on the other hand, should be supplied with organic liquid fertilizer every two weeks, after all, their roots cannot penetrate deeper soil layers.
Pruning Trumpet Tree
You can prune older trumpet trees in the fall. These are thinned out so that they don't go bald. To do this, remove deadwood and diseased wood with a saw or branch cutter. The main shoot and he althy side branchesshould not be circumcised. Only the 'Nana' variety is radically pruned every spring in order to put it back on the stick.
Warning: Wear gloves when pruning the trumpet tree - this will avoid allergic reactions on your hands.
Diseases and Pests of the Catalpa Tree
Trumpet trees are susceptible to some fungi and pests.
Verticillium wilt: This fungus prevents the transport of water and thus also the transport of nutrients. Leaves turn yellow, curl and eventually die. There is no cure for this disease.
Powdery mildew: If the leaves of the trumpet tree are attacked by powdery mildew, a white coating forms on the upper and lower side of the leaf as well as on the shoots and buds. Affected plant parts should be removed immediately.
Tip: Prevent the fungus from spreading further. Dispose of the parts of the plant in the residual waste and disinfect the garden tools after use.
Smut fungus: This fungal disease is difficult to recognize. Rot will develop at the base of the trunk, eventually causing the tree to fall.
Voles: Voles feed on the roots of the Trumpet Tree, making it easy to pull it out. Affected trees then sprout only weakly or not at all.
Trumpet tree not blooming: What can you do?
If the trumpet tree does not produce any flowers, this can have various causes:
| Dependent on variety | Variety such as the 'Nana' trumpet tree only very rarely flower. |
| Age related | It takes five to eight years for a young trumpet tree to flower. |
| Incorrect watering | The tree is exposed to drought stress or waterlogging. |
| Wrong location | No flowers are formed in shady locations. |
| Wrong fertilization | The fertilization is too nitrogenous. |
Winter Trumpet Tree
From the age of five, the trumpet tree is hardy to at least -17, rather to -30 °C. Younger trees need to be prepared for winter using a few methods. At the beginning of winter, the crown of the tree is wrapped in garden fleece, and the soil around the root neck is covered with fir branches.The sensitive bark is protected against cracks with a lime coat. If the trumpet tree is kept as a container plant, it can be overwintered in a bright, cool room at a maximum of 10 °C. If you don't have space, you can also winter the bucket outside. This is then placed on a styrofoam plate close to a house wall and wrapped with fleece for insulation.
Propagating trumpet tree: cuttings or seeds?
The trumpet tree is propagated by seeds or cuttings. However, propagation via offshoots is much more advisable, as it is less labour-intensive.
Propagation by seeds
The wild form of the trumpet tree can be propagated by seeds. However, this requires a lot of patience. In autumn, the mature seed is harvested directly from the tree and dried over the winter. This is then brought forward in the following spring. To do this, the seeds are placed in water for 30 minutes to pre-soak and then planted five millimeters deep in potting soil that is warm at room temperature. The potting soil should be loose and humus-rich, but low in nutrients - our Plantura organic herb and seed soil is suitable, for example.
After about a month and a half, the first shoots develop. To accelerate the development of germs, the planter can also be provided with a transparent hood made of plastic or glass, which should be aired daily. Once the shoots have formed the first four leaves, they can be repotted into a larger container and nutrient-rich potting soil. There should also be a support and a windbreak for the plant.
Tip: When repotting, be careful not to damage the young roots. This guarantees good growth of the plant.
Propagation via offshoots
Propagation via cuttings is also possible. In July or August, medium-old shoots about ten centimeters long can be cut off the tree. These are defoliated except for the top two leaves. To reduce the rate of evaporation, the remaining leaves are cut off in half. The cuttings are then placed in water vessels until they begin to root. After successful rooting, you can finally plant the cuttings in potting soil. The cuttings should be placed in a bright, but not directly sunny place and the substrate should always be kept moist.
Is the trumpet tree poisonous?
To a small extent, theTrumpet tree poisonous. All parts of the trumpet tree - except the seeds - contain catalpin. The leaves and wood also contain coumaric acid, caffeic acid and ursolic acid. Allergic reactions may occur on contact with wood or leaves. The ingestion of the plant parts can lead to stomach problems.
It is not uncommon for the trumpet tree to be confused with the poisonous angel's trumpet. This exudes a pleasant scent late in the evening and at night.