Large white-flowering trees in South Jersey -- what are they?
I’ve noticed several large trees in South Jersey flowering now with clusters of white. The trees have large leaves and the bark reminds me somewhat of what I remember as horse chestnut. Any ideas?
Answer
Horse chestnuts blossom in the earlier spring, so it isn't a horse chestnut. Collaboratively speaking, we think it is probably a Northern Catalpa, Catalpa speciosa, which has large leaves, although not as lobed as a horse chestnut. Catalpas blossom in late spring, so the timing is right. The blossoms are panticles of white clusters, and the bark is rough textured. We hope we're right!