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Liriodendron spp.

tulip trees

Magnoliaceae Eastern North America and China

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Hummingbirds

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Liriodendron spp. is a genus of two species of large deciduous trees in the magnolia family: the tulip tree (L. tulipifera) of eastern North America and the Chinese tulip tree (L. chinense). Both grow rapidly into tall, straight-trunked trees 60 to 100 feet (18 to 30 m) high, with L. tulipifera reaching over 150 feet (45 m) in old forests. The leaves are easily recognized: 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long, with four lobes and a broad, flattened or notched tip, turning clear yellow in fall. In late spring mature trees bear cup-shaped flowers 1.5 to 2 inches (4 to 5 cm) across, greenish-yellow with an orange band at the base, resembling a tulip. The flowers are held high in the canopy and are easy to miss from the ground. The wood is weak and the branches can break in storms, and the large size and shallow, fleshy roots make the genus unsuited to small gardens.

Native Range

Liriodendron tulipifera is native to eastern North America, from southern Ontario and the eastern United States south to Florida and Louisiana, where it grows in moist, fertile woodland. Liriodendron chinense is native to central and southern China and northern Vietnam. The two species are separated by a wide gap in their ranges, a pattern shared by several tree genera of eastern Asia and eastern North America.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a shade and specimen tree in large gardens, parks, and along streets with room for a big canopy. The timber, known as tulipwood or yellow poplar, is used for furniture, veneer, and joinery. Trees are spaced at least 35 to 50 feet (11 to 15 m) apart to allow for their spread.

How to Identify

Identified by the four-lobed leaves with a squared-off or notched tip, unlike the pointed leaves of most broadleaf trees. The tulip-shaped greenish-yellow flowers with an orange basal band and the upright, cone-like clusters of winged seeds that persist into winter are characteristic. The straight, branch-free lower trunk and gray, furrowed bark separate Liriodendron spp. from magnolias with similar flowers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height60' - 100'

Width/Spread30' - 50'

Reaches mature size in approximately 40 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer, about May to June, once trees are 15 years or older. The cup-shaped flowers open over two to three weeks high in the crown. They produce abundant nectar that draws bees and other insects.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

greenish-yellow with an orange band

Foliage Description

green, yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

Reaches full height in 30 to 50 years; flowers after about 15 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Trees grow in full sun and deep, moist, well-drained, slightly acid soil, and grow fast where the soil is fertile and not allowed to dry out. Young trees need watering through dry spells, as the genus is sensitive to drought and sheds yellow leaves early in hot, dry summers. The brittle wood is prone to storm damage, and aphids and scale produce sticky honeydew that coats surfaces below. Trees are difficult to move once established because of their coarse, fleshy roots, so they are planted young in their final position. Little feeding is needed in reasonable soil.

Pruning

Pruning is limited to removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches in winter while the tree is dormant. A single central leader is retained to give a strong trunk. Large cuts heal slowly and are kept to a minimum on older trees.