Tuliptree G. Lumis	Tuliptree Flower G. Lumis	Tuliptree Leaf G. Lumis

Scientific Name: Liriodendron tulipifera

Summary:
Foliage: Deciduous broadleaf
Height: 70 to 90 feet
Spread: 35 to 50 feet
Shape: Upright

Large, smooth, tulip-shaped leaves turn yellow in the fall. Pale yellow, tulip-shaped flowers are produced in spring.

Plant Needs:
Zone: 5 to 9
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Moisture: Wet to moist
Soil Type: Sandy, loam, or clay
pH Range: 3.7 to 6.5

Functions:
Suggested uses for this plant include street tree, shade, and specimen plant.

Planting Notes:
Difficult to transplant. Once established, it is a fast growing tree. Move young plants with balled and burlapped roots in the spring. Plant in a location where it will have plenty of room to develop. Select a site with fertile, deep, moist soil.

Care:
Prune in the winter. Easy to grow once established.

Problems:
Susceptible to a number of pests, including aphids and scale insects. Leaves may turn yellow and drop during hot, dry periods of midsummer.

Alternatives:
Consult local sources, including historic or public gardens and arboreta, regarding cultivars and related species that grow well in your area.

Cultivars of LIRIODENDRON TULIPIFERA:
No important cultivars.

Comments:
The Tuliptree is too large for the average- sized yard and should be planted only where it has ample growing space. In the fall, a tulip-shaped portion of the fruit remains on the tree to add interest during the winter. Tuliptree is worth looking for, although it is not readily available.

This material was developed by Carol Ness as part of the Interactive Design and Development Project funded by the Kellogg Foundation. Mary Miller, Project Director. Diane Relf, Content Specialist, Horticulture. Copyright 1989 by VCE. 

Back to Tree Species

TOP