The Catalpa tree in the photograph is in sad condition. The power company trimmed it and reduced it to a shell of what it was last year.
Regardless, the life force, the 'spirit' in it keeps on going.
The leaves are large and heart shaped, approximately 9 inches from top to bottom and at the widest point 5 inches across.
Their seed clusters resemble vanilla beans in shape and color.
In mid June the Catalpa blooms in buoyant clusters of flowers that are predominantly white.
They have a soft sweetish odor.
The leaves gather energy from the surrounding environment and work to nourish the entire tree producing a lush dark green appearance.
In this photograph it can be seen that the blossoms have a design of different colors that begins in the throat of the blossom.
This photograph brings your right up close enough to enjoy the designs that are in their opened throat. They are wine and gold, predominantly white.
As you come this close the designs appear as if they were in a traditional Chinese nature painting.
You are tempted to put your nose into the bloom and savor the faint sweetness, which on hot June afternoons when the breeze is nonexistent, will spread through the yard from their abundance.
They are a part of a progression that begins when the crocuses appear in March and which continues through November when the asters finally signal the entering into dream time.
Enjoy it.
Text and photographs Copyright 2007 by David H. Roche
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