Liriodendron tulipifera ( American Tulip Tree ) is a deciduous tree that is native to eastern North America. Renowned for their famous yellow leaves, the Tulip Tree is also prized for its high quality straight wood. The tree is fast growing and adapts to climates ranging from Florida to Canada in its native region. In Spring and Summer the Tulip Tree produces cup-shaped flowers worthy of its name.
Suitable for Cold, Temperate, Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates.
Also known as the Tulip Tree, Whitewood, Yellow Poplar and Fiddle tree.
Growth
Liriodendron tulipifera is a fast growing flowering tree that reaches heights of up to 30 metres (98 feet) but has been known to grow much taller. In cultivation they average a more modest 15 metres (50 feet). Tulip Trees enjoy a large range of climates though do prefer warmer temperatures. Even so, they grow wild in southern regions of Canada, although flowering is delayed several months.
Mature trunks of the species are uniform and can reach up to 1.8 metres (6 feet) in diameter, often without low-level branches. It’s fast growing yet straight form has made it a popular tree in plantations for a wide range of wood-related products. The tree is named for its cup-shaped flowers which resemble that of a Tulip. These can often grow unnoticed due to the dominance of leaves. Flowering occurs in warmer regions around mid-Spring can appear in Summer in cold and temperate climates.
As Autumn arrives, the leaves become the prime attraction as they change into a bright yellow colour.
FAMILY:
Magnoliaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Sub-Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-20°C to 25°C / 4 to 77°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 30 metres (98 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 15 metres (50 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Deciduous.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low-Medium.
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Flies, Bees, Beetles.
MATURITY:
10-15 years to produce seed.
GERMINATION RATES:
10-30%
GERMINATION TIME:
8 weeks cold stratification + 3-4 weeks germination
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 25
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No.
WEED POTENTIAL:
No.
EDIBLE:
No.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 2 years.
FACTS ABOUT LIRIODENDRON TULIPIFERA (American Tulip Tree)
The Tulip Tree is one of the largest of the native trees of the eastern United States. One specimen was recorded at around 58 metres (191 feet).
Natives made dugout canoes from the trunks of Tulip Trees.
The Tulip Tree is the state tree of the states Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana.
