I think if you've just collected them within the last day or so they should be full of viable seed. Put the pods into a paper bag and put them up in the top of a closet to dry. The seeds look like wings, if you're not familiar with them google up an image so you know what you're looking for. I'd sow them during the winter so they can get some stratification. I have a Catalpa, love the fragrant, beautiful flowers. Good luck! Jeanne

I am sorry - what a lousy choice of tree. I suppose it could be worse - they could be Bradford Pears?! But still... ugh... when will people realize: 1) overplanting of something unique (such as plants with strange colored leaves) ends up looking strange, not interesting, and 2) Don't plant invasive species (Norway Maples are invasive in this continent. Yeesh - there are so many better choices of trees! Reminds of the new "McMansion" subdivisions I see here in Maryland, where a good number of them are so crowded that they have no trees, while many others have Bradford Pears and that's about it. So, in 15 years, they will all be mostly tree-less. YUCK!

The Catalpa Sphinx moth is generally most common in the southern states. They lay eggs on a Catalpa and the eggs hatch into the caterpillars. In zone 4 they are uncommon/rare or non-existent. Both the northern and southern Catalpa attract the moths and caterpillars. So it will be good for you since they might not be common in your area.

The Northern variety has larger leaves and grows to a larger size. The Southern variety is generally thought to have either more or better flowers.