Blooming Catalpa Trees

I think some of the most striking trees are Catalpa Trees.  I have two on the property where I live and several more close by.  The leaves are heart shaped and some of them have been more than a foot long.  In the spring they grow clusters of small orchid shaped flowers that have a very delicate fragrance.  Some have a yellow center while others are purple.  Simply beautiful!

As they develop the flowers fall and when it is windy and a lot fall at the same time it can appear as though there are large hail stones on the ground.  Several years ago the front lawn was so covered with flowers it looked as though it had snowed.  The only drawback is as they wilt and dry they get stuck to the bottom of shoes and hence end up in the house.  

The leaves turn a nice yellow in the fall.  About four years ago a young man came to my door as the leaves were falling and asked me if his children could pick up some of them and take to school for show and tell.  I was very impressed at the example he provided his children by asking.  They, of course, tried to find the biggest leaves with the most color.  When they fall the leaves feel rather leathery.  These trees provide entertainment for most of the year.  Of course raking them in the fall is continual until the last leaf falls.  Good exercise.  For now, I am enjoying the flowers as they are falling from the clusters on the branches.  

Enjoy our trees!