Phone the major independent garden centers in and around Portland. Ask if the have one, if they can order one, and/or when they may come in.

It was on Portland Nursery's plant list for 2007. You will have to ask specifically for the variety you want; there is the species tree, smaller varieties, golden-leafed, etc.

Ask Rogers Nursery (wholesale) in Hubbard who would stock it retail.

Has also been on Cistus Nursery plant list.

http://www.nurseryguide.com/search.lasso
Nursery Guide Search

I bought mine from Loen's wholesale section when they were having an open-to-the-public sale in late 2005. It was huge, in an enormous container, one of only 2 left (no smaller ones). I was a total newbie and didn't know that big trees transplant much harder than young saplings. Live and learn. This year it is doing better, finally, huge leaves and some new growth. Good trunk flare. Expect next year will be awesome.

The flowers are long-lasting and lovely and the long beans provide winter interest.

Mine is in a winter-watery place and slurps up large amounts of supplemental water.

Mimosas, eucalypti and a fig tree along with several sequoias and coast redwoods around it, also lots of willows -- the tropical forest look is great!

Here is a link that might be useful: Nursery Guide Search

Common item in outlets up here. Most kinds grow very large in time, with coarse branching and large leaves making the tree overpowering/out of scale unless the area it is chosen for its quite spacious. Its hybrid X Chitalpa tashkentensis may be a better choice for most modern planting sites.

Here is a link that might be useful: Google Image Search Results

A couple of larger (8-foot ?) "Aurea" catalpas were put in around the corner of my block about 10 years ago and it took a good 3 years for them to get going.

I got to thinking, and sure enough, the Sunset Western Garden book mentions that a windy site may damage the leaves; I assume the Hood River resident took this into consideration.

'Aurea' is beautiful but not a small tree. The biggest one I have seen - at the Riverview complex near Coquitlam, up the river from Vancouver BC - had an average crown spread of 51'.

Thanks all for your comments. Cascadians, the link you provided has proved helpful. I've found several growers in the Portland area that have catalpas. Unfortunately none of them will sell to me. They are all wholesale growers. One of them suggested that I go through a local landscaper to see if they could get their hands on a tree for me. I'm not too excited about paying the extra costs associated with this. I'm also a very proud DIY kinda guy so the search goes on!

A friend suggested that I could try to cultivate a tree with a brach clipping from a local tree. I have no experience with this. Is it possible?

Thanks again

Surely a garden center there has some.

Hood River, OR Nurseries

1. Fruit Valley Garden Ctr
717 NW Loop Rd
White Salmon, WA
509-493-2894
30 miles from center of Hood River.

2. Vanguard Nursery
PO Box 2201
White Salmon, WA
509-493-1549
31 miles from center of Hood River.

3. Good News Gardening
1086 Tucker Rd
Hood River, OR
541-386-6438
32 miles from center of Hood River.

4. Rasmussen Farms
3020 Thomsen Rd
Hood River, OR
541-386-4622
35 miles from center of Hood River.

5. Parkdale Gardens
5056 Woodworth Rd
Mt Hood Parkdale, OR
541-352-7431
37 miles from center of Hood River.

Maybe one of these can find one for you? Or special order one?

Forest Farm has some odd ones:

http://www.forestfarm.com/products.php?params=plantName:catalpa

http://www.forestfarm.com/product.php?id=908
Catalpa erubescens Purpurea - Purple-leaf Catalpa

Wow, very purple leaves, too cool! Would have planted this for sure.

Here is a link that might be useful: Forest Farm's Catalpas

Only the newest, uppermost leaves of 'Purpurea' are purple. I bought one on sale recently at Emery's Garden. Unfortunately, it remained bent after being liberated from my truck.