Northern catalpa Catalpa speciosa The Morton Arboretum Smoke Catalpa Pods Have you seen this impressive tree that produces bean pods and wondered what it was or what it could be used for? The Catalpa Tree (Catalpa bignonioides) is also The beans pods on the catalpa are nearly as beautiful as the flowers. : r marijuanaenthusiasts I picked these pods off my catalpa tree to use as fire starters for the woodstove!