Hi, and Catalpa id

[DesignGreen]

I am a landscape designer and contractor in Evanston, IL.
Today, however, I am with my friend in Fort Atkinson, WI and trying to id a tree. I think it's a Catalpa, but it is juvenile and hasn't flowered, and has about 8 stems. Is this normal in the woods?
It is about 2 feet from a Mulberry, 8-10' from a Black Cherry, a magnificent Burr Oak that is mature and a Hackberry. The Oak is on my friend's property; the others are on the next door neighbor's. Trying to convince the neighbor to get rid of at least one... No luck so far. But, I would like to identify this multi-stemmed tree before we prune it. Thanks.

[Joe]

upload a photo
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[Will Blozan]

Welcome.

There is not a possible way to misidentify a catalpa, as it is the only opposite-whorled native large tree. Get up close and personal. Look at the buds.

Will

[DesignGreen]

I took photos. The last photo is of the whole grouping of trees. The tree in question is in back, and as you might see, the Cherry, Hackberry, Mulberry and the Catalpa? are blocking our view of the lake. We are going to tree up the four trees (not the Oak), and are trying to figure out our pruning approach. Wondering if this is a Catalpa, and if I should take out some of the stems.
The Cherry has a Y in trunk at about 8'. Thinking about taking out the smaller one. Thanks for feedback.

[Will Blozan]

Basswood, Tilia Americana most likely.

[Joe]

Basswood, Tilia Americana most likely.

right, but the leaves do look vaguely like catalpa leaves- which are larger and longer

which reminds me of the time I was walking with an old time immigrant Italian dude- we came upon a catalpa which was loaded with its seedpods-- the old guy said, "Giusseppi, what-sa that tree- looks like-a string-a bean-a tree"
Joe

[Will Blozan]

Joe,

Vague is right- Catalpa have no serrations and are not alternate on the stem. First thing to look for when you find an unknown tree is the leaf arrangement. This narrows down the possibilities tree-mendously. Whorled is even more rare.

Will