It ranks at the top of the ranking of the most popular trees for the ornamental garden. The 'Nana' ball trumpet tree boasts beautiful heart leaves that form a round crown on numerous branches. Refined on a robust wild base, the masterpiece of ingenious breeders reaches 350-400 cm, the ideal height for the house tree in the small garden. The following answers to frequently asked questions specify how to properly cultivate the distinctive darling of the public.

The ball trumpet tree keeps its beautiful crown shape all by itself

Plant the ball trumpet tree correctly

In practice, spring has proven to be the best time to plant the ball trumpet tree. As soon as the ground has completely thawed in March/April, dig a planting pit with 1.5 times the volume of the root ball in a sunny to partially shaded location. Add mature compost and horn shavings ($40.00) to the excavation to encourage rooting. It is an advantage if you hammer in the support stake before placing the tree in the center of the pit. Choose the planting depth in such a way that the soil ball is only a few centimeters below the garden soil. Finally, water generously and mulch with leaves, grass clippings or bark mulch.

care tips

If his wish for a wind-protected, warm and bright location is satisfied, the care program for the ball trumpet tree is limited to the following measures:

  • Keep the soil constantly moist without causing waterlogging
  • An organic starting fertilization in March/April
  • In August/September water with comfrey liquid manure to strengthen the frost hardiness
  • Cut back if necessary in early spring
  • Carefully thin out the crown every 1-2 years

In the first years of life, a Catalpa bignonioides 'Nana' depends on your support to survive the cold season unscathed. In late autumn, cover the tree pit thickly with leaves and needle brushwood. The crown receives a hood made of breathable fleece or is wrapped with jute ribbons.

Which location is suitable?

Since the globe trumpet tree immigrated to us from milder regions of the world, attention is paid to these criteria when choosing a location:

  • Sunny to partially shaded position
  • Warm and especially sheltered from the wind
  • Normal, freshly moist to moderately dry garden soil

A location that is safe from strong winds is of the utmost importance. 'Nana' easily copes with frosty temperatures alone. However, if there is a strong wind, a healthy hibernation is quickly on the brink. In addition, the branches become more fragile over the years.

What soil does the plant need?

Compared to the soil conditions, a ball trumpet tree proves to be undemanding and tolerant. The decorative tree is satisfied with a place in normal garden soil. It prefers to spread its central root system in loamy-sandy substrate, fresh and moist to moderately dry.

When is flowering time?

You will look in vain for a blossom on a ball trumpet tree. Unlike its big brothers, such as the common trumpet tree or the golden trumpet tree, 'Nana' does not produce flowers. This has the advantage that none of the poisonous fruits will develop, which is desirable in the family garden.

Pruning ball trumpet tree properly

While a ball trumpet tree hardly gains any height, its spherical crown takes on an imposing girth over the years. If there is enough space available, pruning is not absolutely necessary, since 'Nana' develops the harmonious crown shape independently. In this case, you only thin out the branches every 1-2 years. In all other cases, we recommend pruning your Catalpa bignonioides like this:

  • Choose an overcast, frost-free day in March/April
  • Shorten the branches in stages to the desired length
  • In the meantime step back repeatedly to decide on the further editing
  • Remove all deadwood from the crown at the same time without damaging the trunk bark

Use freshly sharpened, sanitized pruning shears. For each cut, apply this a few millimeters above a leaf node. Please make sure that the bark is not crushed. If wild shoots sprout from the rootstock, cut them off promptly during the entire growth period.

Water the ball trumpet tree

The sunnier the location, the more extensive the evaporation through the large heart leaves. Consequently, the water demand is at a medium to high level. Water your ball trumpet tree regularly. To test, press your thumb into the ground during the morning hours. If the upper 3-4 cm feel dry, the watering can is used. As long as a Catalpa bignonioides 'Nana' has not yet put on its leaves or is only in the budding phase, it is watered less frequently.

Fertilize ball trumpet tree properly

The leisurely growth results in a low fertilizer requirement. An organic initial fertilization in March/April awakens the spirits of life in the ball trumpet tree. Lightly work in compost, horn shavings, bark humus, horse manure or guano granules with the rake and water generously. A further supply of nutrients is only required in the event of deficiency symptoms, such as sparse foliage or pale colours.

hibernate

When young, a trumpet tree still lacks the winter hardiness of adult trees. Therefore, protect your decorative house tree from damage by taking these precautions:

  • Stack a 20-30 cm high leaf on the tree grate, fixed with needle sticks
  • Wrap the branches with jute ribbons or garden fleece
  • Cut and thin out the crown at the end of February/beginning of March at the earliest

In August and September you strengthen the frost resistance by repeatedly watering the root disc with comfrey liquid manure. The potassium it contains strengthens the cell walls and lowers the freezing point in the cell sap.

Propagating ball trumpet tree

The popular house tree owes its graceful stature to a graft. The crown is connected to a robust winter pad using special finishing techniques. Classic propagation methods for woody plants, such as cuttings, sticks or sinkers, are useless in this case.

Ball trumpet tree in pot

The cultivation of a ball trumpet tree in a pot is accompanied by various imponderables. The top priority is a wind-protected location, as the tree is threatened by windthrow due to its special stature. In addition, it should be ensured that the high water demand is covered. On warm summer days, the substrate dries out so quickly that it needs to be watered in the early morning and in the evening. To prevent the root ball behind the container walls from freezing through in winter, wrap the pot in bubble wrap and place it on wood. After 2-3 years in the bucket at the latest, there should be a place in the bed for 'Nana' where the tree can freely develop its central root system.

Is Ball Trumpet Tree Poisonous?

Catalposide is found in the leaves and shoots of the ball trumpet tree. This ingredient can cause skin irritation in people who are sensitive to it. We therefore recommend that you wear gloves for all planting and care work. Otherwise, there is no danger from a Catalpa bignonioides, especially since the pods with poisonous seeds do not grow due to the lack of flowers.

Category:

Trees