Sounds like a catalpa, although the Kawartha Lakes are far beyond its
natural range. According to Hosie (Native Trees of Canada) they don't
occur here. I've seen a number of large specimens in Toronto, so
perhaps someone planted the ones you saw, and they are hardier than one
might expect.
In article <de8fd87.0307201103.3070be4e at posting.google.com>,
Bonnie <adambr3 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>While cottaging at a lake near Apsley last week, we saw several of
>these trees. The leaves are rather sparse, medium green, large (3+
>inches), spade-shaped/triangular. Not smooth.(I think a bit serrated
>as well, but my memory's shaky on that point.) The trees were fairly
>tall, say 20 feet or so.
>>What was most noticeable, however, were the beautiful flowers. Almost
>orchid-like, somewhat cup-shaped flowers, mainly white, with
>purplish/reddish colouring inside. These were growing in loose
>clusters. Each bloom was about one inch (more or less) in diameter.
>Colouring and semi-closed opening in the bloom reminded me a bit of a
>snapdragon.
>>I've searched a lot on the Internet, and just cannot figure out what
>they were.
>>Would greatly appreciate your thoughts.
>>Thanks!
