Steve Thorn wrote:Found this neat article talking more about the catalpa trees and their relationship with the worms on them. They get almost completely defoliated by worms, but spring right back each time! The droppings from the caterpillars seem to provide a great natural fertilizer for the tree and also for any nearby plants!
Leave those Catalpa Worms Be
I dug around a while looking for catalpa tree info too. It seems inviting moths to populate your tree may be a problem these days if there aren't any in the vicinity to find it. And since it doesn't seem to be a popular tree anymore there are people who are looking for worms online to do just that. There is a bait worm supplier in the south that will ship live worms but only to surrounding states. No help to me in Indiana. Some info that you can freeze the worms and they come back to life when thawed (survival from wintering over in leaf litter in the ground I suspect). I did find a interesting 1908 report of massive plantings of catalpas in Indiana for use as telegraph poles, railroad ties and fence posts. Reportedly as good as black locust and other 'post' lumbers, fast growing too. Two varieties though gotta get the right one.
Good permaculture addition to grow you own fence posts.
Some people love 'em - massive GREAT smelling blossoms, interesting bean pods and lovely fishing caterpillars.
Some people hate 'em - too much lawn litter, massive blossoms, beans and worms. LOL as we all know can't please everybody.
BTW Steve, I touched (mobile device) the '...' button on your post by accident, not sure what that does but it seems a 'report' button appeared. My apologies if that was, ah um , a thing. Newbies what'ja gonna do with 'em? lol sorry
