Just a short post about a cool tree. Catalpa speciosa or Northern Catamlpa is blooming late in the garden this year. Though native to the northeast, its original range was restricted to a small area around the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers but because of its wildlife value it was spread by the native americans and then by the Europeans but for different reasons. First, it is very hardy and bears beautiful flowers as can be seen in the photo. Secondly, I just found out that its soft wood has one of the lowest shrinkage/expansion rates of any U.S. hardwood which makes it great for carving and boat building. pretty and pretty cool.