The Southern Catalpa (or Trumpet Tree) originally hails from the warm, sunny Southeastern United States. Because it’s a Southern native at heart, it’s not naturally built for freezing temperatures right out of the gate. If you want yours to thrive, you’ll need to take a few protective steps during the winter months.
The Catalpa isn’t hardy right away
Since these exotic beauties come from regions where deep freezes are rare, they aren’t born winter-hardy. However, there is good news: as the years go by, established Catalpas “toughen up” and naturally develop a better resistance to frost.
How to winterize your Catalpa trees
The best way to help your tree survive the cold depends mostly on how old it is:
- Young trees should ideally be moved to a sheltered winter spot.
- Older, established trees usually just need a little protection for their canopy.
Wintering young Catalpa trees
For the first five years or so, young Catalpas haven’t built up any real winter hardiness. Leaving them out in the freezing cold unprotected can cause some serious damage. Your best bet is to move them to a proper wintering spot—somewhere cool but consistently frost-free. This allows the tree to enter its necessary dormant phase without the risk of freezing.
This goes for young cuttings, too! Since their root systems are still developing, every part of the plant is extra vulnerable to frost damage. Keep them tucked away safely indoors or in a greenhouse until spring.
Protecting the flower buds on older trees
Once your tree hits that five-year milestone, it has usually hardened off enough to handle the winter on its own. While the tree itself will survive, you might still want to wrap the crown with some protective garden fleece or burlap. Why? Because Catalpas actually set their flower buds in the fall. If those buds freeze over the winter, you won’t get those gorgeous blooms come summer.
Whitewashing your trees
Cold isn’t the only enemy—excessive moisture and winter sun can cause the bark to split (sunscald). Applying a white tree wash to the trunk can really help prevent this. Just make sure you’re using a plant-safe, breathable paint specifically designed for trees from your local garden center.
Dwarf Globe Catalpas need extra care
Unlike their big cousins, the smaller “Nana” or Globe Catalpas never truly become winter-hardy. These little guys need to be protected from frost every single year, ideally by moving them to a sheltered wintering station.
