Many people confuse the trumpet tree (Catalpa bignonioides), which grows up to 18 meters high, with the angel's trumpet (Brugmansia), which is sometimes called the same. While the latter is absolutely not hardy here, the stately trumpet tree gets used to frosty temperatures within three to four years. The deciduous deciduous tree survives the Central European winter better the older it is and the more sheltered it is.
How do you protect a trumpet tree from frost?
Trumpet trees (Catalpa bignonioides) are sensitive to frost in the first 3-4 years and require winter protection. Older trees are more robust, but the flower buds should be protected from frost. Potted plants should overwinter cool and frost-free.
It's rarely really cold in his homeland
Catalpa originally comes from the southeast of the USA, where the climatic conditions are rather mild and the average annual temperature is around 20 °C. There is very rarely real frost here, even though the degrees can fluctuate around zero in the winter months. Although the temperature differences here are not quite as pronounced as here, they are still there. So it's no wonder that the trumpet tree needs a winter break - as well as a long and very warm summer, because only then does it produce seeds.
Older trees are less sensitive
While younger trees are very sensitive to frost up to the age of around four to five years and therefore require good winter protection if they are planted in the garden, older specimens are considered to be significantly more robust. Nevertheless, it is advisable to protect the crowns of these trumpet trees from frost using foil (€59.00 on Amazon) or something similar: Catalpa forms its flower buds in the autumn of the previous year, so that they can be damaged in the event of severe frosts or.threaten to freeze, especially as a result of late frosts. In contrast to their larger relatives, globe trumpet trees remain sensitive to frost throughout their life, so good protection is essential - even if flower buds rarely need to be warmed.
Trumpet tree in a pot overwinters best frost-free
If you are cultivating a trumpet tree - possibly a young one - in a bucket, it is recommended that it be kept cool but frost-free over the winter. Since the tree sheds its leaves in autumn, the winter quarters do not necessarily have to be bright. Due to the small amount of substrate in the planter, the roots are at risk of freezing due to excessively cold temperatures.
Tip
If the trumpet tree feels comfortable in its location, it will survive the cold season much better. If possible, choose a sheltered, sunny spot where the tree is not exposed to drafts and where the average annual temperature remains slightly warmer. A south-facing location near a house wall is ideal.
