The growth and physiology characteristics for two-year-old saplings of 7 Catalpa spp. planted in upland area were studied. The results showed that different Catalpa spp. had significant variance in height, diameter, length to width of leaf, leaf numbers per plant and net photosynthesis rate. Diameter growth rate had significant positive correlation with leaf length, length to width of leaf, transpiration rate and net photosynthesis rate. Leaf width had significant negative correlation with transpiration rate and net photosynthesis rate. Photochemistry quenching (qp) had significant positive correlation with non-photochemistry quenching (NPQ) and significant negative correlation with φPSⅡ photochemical efficiency.