Tulip Tree

Figure 1: Tulip tree

Family: Magnoliaceae

Genus: Liriodendron

Species: tulipifera

Common names: Tulip tree, canary whitewood, canoewood, lyre tree, North American whitewood, saddle tree, tulip poplar, and western poplar

Growth Sites

Figure 2: Hardiness zones the tulip tree can grow in

The tulip tree originated in Eastern North America, but is highly adaptable to various climates. As in figure one shows, the tulip tree is hardy to zones 4-9.

However, regardless of temperature, the tree does best in moist, well-drained soil; the soil should also be loamy and organically-rich. The tulip tree prefers full sun.

General Information

Height: 60-90 feet, but can be up to 200

Girth: 4-6 feet, but can be up to 10

Canopy Spread: 30-50 feet

Life expectancy: Can live up to 300 years in ideal conditions, but some have been reported to live as long as 500 years. In urban areas, the life expectancy is shortened to 100-200 years.

Wood: Diffuse porous

Flowers

The tulip tree has perfect flowers, meaning both reproductive organs are not only on the same tree, but also on the individual flower. The tree is also self-pollinating, and it flowers from May to June.

Figure 3: Life cycle of a tulip tree flower

The fruit of the tree are dry, scaly, oblong, cone-shaped, and brown. They contain samaras. Samaras are the winged seeds inside the fruit. The tulip tree is propagated by both cuttings and seeds. Some trees have mast years, which are gap years between fruit production; the tulip tree produces fruit every year, so it has no mast years.

Usage

The wood of tulip trees is commonly used for construction grade lumber and plywood. It is used for cabinets, veneer, pulp, and furniture, as well as kindling. The tree itself is used in parks and yards, but it does poorly as a street tree. It's most common usage is a shade tree or a flowering tree. It has a gorgeous yellow color in the fall.

In the past, tulip trees were used by Native Americans to create dugout canoes. Now, it is the state tree of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana.

Figure 4: Tulip tree in the fall

Maintenance

Tulip trees are usually planted as nursery seedlings, planted in the early spring after one year of growth. There aren't any special pruning requirements, except when the tree is being used for lumber. When grown for lumber, moderate thinning every 8-10 years is recommended. Otherwise, prune when necessary or when preferred.

Tulip trees don't have any significant pests or diseases. Watch out for aphids and scale, as well as Verticillium wilt. Other than those things, the tree is rather hardy. It is, however, sensitive to wind and ice.

It tolerates a soil pH anywhere from 4.5-7.5.

References

“How to Grow: Tulip Trees- Growing Adn Caring for Tulip Trees.” Gardening with Charlie, 21 Nov. 2017, gardeningwithcharlie.com/grow-care-for-tulip-trees.html.
“Liriodendron Tulipfera (Tulip Tree, Yellow Poplar).” A Fascinating Green World, 28 Sept. 2014, austinbotany.wordpress.com/2014/09/28/liriodendron-tulipfera-tulip-tree-yellow-poplar/.
“Liriodendron Tulipifera L. Tuliptree.” Plants Profile for Liriodendron Tulipifera (Tuliptree), plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=litu.
“Liriodendron Tulipifera.” Liriodendron Tulipifera - Plant Finder, www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a878.
“Liriodendron Tulipifera.” Liriodendron Tulipifera, www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/lirtul/all.html.
“TuliptreeLiriodendron Tulipifera.” Tuliptree Tree on the Tree Guide at Arborday.org, www.arborday.org/Trees/treeguide/treedetail.cfm?itemID=930.