Drypetes deplanchei
yellow tulipwood
Overview
Drypetes deplanchei is an evergreen rainforest tree in the Putranjivaceae family reaching 30-80 feet (9-24 m) tall, with a dense rounded crown and a pale, often fluted trunk. The glossy dark green leaves are 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long, oval to lance-shaped, with an asymmetric base and finely toothed margins. The species is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate trees; the small cream to greenish flowers are clustered along the twigs in spring. Female trees bear fleshy orange to red fruit 0.4-0.8 inch (1-2 cm) long that ripen in summer and autumn and are taken by birds. Growth is slow to moderate, and the timber is hard and pale yellow. The tree casts dense shade and has a fibrous root system. Fruit is produced only on female trees, so a single isolated tree may fruit poorly without a nearby male.
Native Range
Native to eastern and northern Australia, from coastal New South Wales through Queensland to the Northern Territory, and also in New Caledonia and parts of Southeast Asia. Grows in dry and subtropical rainforest, vine thickets, and littoral forest on a range of soils.Suggested Uses
Planted as a shade and street tree and in rainforest revegetation, spaced 20-30 feet (6-9 m) apart. The fruit on female trees feeds birds, and the dense crown casts year-round shade. The deep shade and surface roots limit what can grow beneath the canopy.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height30' - 80'
Width/Spread20' - 40'
Reaches mature size in approximately 12 years
Bloom Information
Flowers in spring, roughly September to November in its native range, with small cream to greenish flowers along the twigs. Female trees set fleshy fruit that ripen orange to red through summer and autumn. Flowering and fruiting vary from year to year with rainfall.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
cream to greenishFoliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to part shade on moist, well-drained soil in frost-free to lightly frosted climates. Water during dry spells while establishing; mature trees tolerate short dry periods but grow more steadily with consistent moisture. Fruit forms only on female trees, so a male tree nearby improves fruit set. The dense canopy casts heavy shade that limits planting beneath it. Few serious pests affect it, and the hard timber resists decay.Pruning
Light pruning in the first years builds a single clear trunk and an even crown. Mature trees need little pruning beyond removing dead or crossing branches. The hard timber is slow to seal large cuts, so smaller branch removal is favored.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter