Catalpa Tree Pods Smoke Northern Catalpa No these aren't giant tree green beans, but instead the seed pod of the northern catalpa. These bean like pods can grow to be 20" long and contain numerous 1" long seeds. #haverfordcollegearboretum # Polk Salad Annie 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 Southern Catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides): Essential Guide Catalpa Campus Trees