Fast Growing Shade Tree With Amazing Spring BloomsRelated to the Royal Empress tree,the Northern Catalpa tree, Catalpa speciosa, is also a fast growing tree with amazing spring blooms.  It would be outstanding as a unique, ornamental shade tree. Large, showy white, trumpet-shaped flowers will puit on quite a show in late spring.  What a site this tree becomes when the huge white flowers create a stunning contrast against the solid green background of foliage! As an added bonus, the flowers attract hummingbirds!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. 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, making a great shade tree.The huge heart shaped leaves can be as big as 12 inches across!  They not only help block the sun on hot summer days, but also makes the chore of raking leaves a lot easier.Farmers introduced Northern Catalpa to Ohio in order to produce large amounts of relatively lightweight timber for fencepost since the wood is very resistant to rotting. Very tolerant of tough conditions, it withstands wet, dry, alkaline soils and hot, dry environments, but prefers moist, deep soil; should be planted in sun or partial shade.  For a hardy, fast-growing shade tree with ornamental spring blooms, you can’t go wroong with the Northern Catalpa. * Fast growing shade tree* Hardy* Huge white flowers.