Common Name: Spanish Oak

General Information

Catalpa longissima is a semi-deciduous tree with a large but open crown; it can grow up to 25 metres tall[]. The straight bole can be 90cm in diameter[].
An important timber tree in parts of the Caribbean, it has been widely exploited in the past and now large trees are rare in many regions[]. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, being valued for its short but spectacular flowering season as the rains return after the dry season[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Caribbean - Cuba and the Bahamas.

Habitat

Dry lowland woodland[]. Dry coastal plains of the south and southeast sides of Jamaica, and along sandy river banks, usually at elevations lower than 300 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of low elevations in the tropics, where it can succeed in drier areas receiving less than 1,000mm of rain annually[].
Succeeds in most fertile, well-drained soils if given a position in full sun[, ]. The plant has a high degree of tolerance to unfavourable site conditions and can succeed in rocky and degraded places[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[]. Plants should be given a position sheltered from strong winds[].
A fairly slow-growing tree[].
Planted trees tend to be bushy when young, but later a dominant leader takes over, developing into long straight stems at maturity[].
The flowers are very attractive to bees[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The bark is used for tanning[].

The heartwood is greyish to light brown in colour, in contrast to the distinctly lighter sapwood[]. The texture is medium to coarse; the lustre fairly high; the grain generally straight; when seasoned it has an odour suggesting kerosene but no distinctive taste[]. The wood is medium hard, tightly knit, elastic and durable[]. It saws easily[]. It is one of the most useful native timbers in Jamaica for boatbuilding and in general construction for sills, shingles, framing, boarding, and flooring. It is also made into the bodies of carts and wagons, In Haiti the timber is used principally for furniture and house construction[].

Propagation

Seed -

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