This species of the Catalpa tree, native to the midwestern United States, is known technically as Catalpa Speciosa aka the Northern Catalpa, Hardy Catalpa, Western Catalpa, Cigar Tree, Catawba Tree, or Bois Chavanon. The Northern Catalpa tree  is a medium-sized deciduous tree that can reach a height of 40 – 60 ft and a width of 20 – 40 ft. The Latin term speciosa means “showy” and, as evidence of this trait, it is often used as an ornamental tree.

It has a trunk that can be up to one meter in diameter, and the brown to gray bark turns into hard plates or ridges as it ages. The leaves are large, heart-shaped, pointed at the tip, and the undersides are slightly hairy. In autumn, the leaves tend not to color before they fall. Instead, they either fall quickly after the first hard freeze or turn a light yellow-brown color before they fall. The catalpa tree is the last tree in spring to produce leaves. The sunken leaf scars on the winter twigs of northern catalpa are similar to those of few other trees and resemble suction cups. The trumpet-shaped flowers are white or pink and measure 1 – 2 inch flowers have yellow stripes and purple spots.

The seed pod container can remain attached to the tree during the winter and can be mistaken for brown icicles. Numerous flat, light brown seeds with two papery wings are found in the pod.

It is firmly connected with Southern Catalpa, and can be recognized by the blossoming panicles, which bear fewer bigger blossoms, and the somewhat more extensive seed units.