Shade Tree
Liriodendron, Genus, chinense, Species,
- Genus & species
Chinese tulip tree
Central and southern China, northern Vietnam
Overview
Liriodendron chinense is a deciduous tree with a straight trunk and an oval to broadly pyramidal crown, reaching 50–90 feet (15–27 m) tall and 30–50 feet (9–15 m) wide in cultivation, and up to 130 feet (40 m) in the wild. Leaves are 3–8 inches (8–20 cm) long and wide, with a flat or notched apex and one or two pointed lobes on each side, bright green above and pale with a whitish bloom beneath. Flowers are cup-shaped, 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm) across, with six greenish-yellow petals marked with an orange band near the base, and appear after 10–15 years from seed. Fruits are dry, cone-like aggregates of winged samaras 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) long that persist into winter. Fall foliage is yellow. Wood is soft and brittle, and limbs break in ice and wind storms. Roots are fleshy and spread widely, so transplanting from open ground is difficult in large sizes. Aphids deposit honeydew on foliage and on surfaces beneath the canopy. The species is hardy in USDA zones 6–9. Wild populations are fragmented across its range.
Native Range
Liriodendron chinense is native to central and southern China and northern Vietnam, where it grows in moist, mixed broadleaf forests at 900–1,800 m elevations. It is the Asian counterpart of L. tulipifera, which is native to eastern North America.Suggested Uses
Liriodendron chinense is planted as a large shade and specimen tree in parks, estate grounds, and arboretums, with spacing of 40–50 feet (12–15 m) from buildings and other trees. It is also grown for timber in its native range.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height50' - 90'
Width/Spread30' - 50'
Bloom Information
Liriodendron chinense blooms in late spring, typically May to June, after leaves have expanded. Flowers open high in the crown and are visited by bees. Trees raised from seed begin to flower after 10–15 years.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Greenish-yellow with orange bandFoliage Description
Bright green above, pale beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Liriodendron chinense grows in full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct light, in deep, moist, well-drained soil of pH 5.5–7.0. Young trees need regular watering during the first 2–3 years, and drought causes early leaf yellowing and drop in summer. Hardiness is USDA zones 6–9. The species has fleshy roots and tolerates little compaction or flooding. Aphids, scale insects, and canker diseases affect the species. Branches are brittle and break in ice and strong wind, and a mature tree casts shade over a canopy 30–50 feet (9–15 m) wide.Pruning
Pruning is done in late winter or summer, since heavy spring cuts bleed sap. Lower limbs are removed gradually and branch unions with included bark are corrected while the tree is young. Pruning wounds larger than 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter close slowly.Pruning Schedule
Prune: February–March & July
wintersummer
