If you are trying to grow more native plants in your landscape, but would also like something unique, consider growing a tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera). Tulip trees, sometimes called tulip poplar or yellow poplar, are native to eastern North America. Their name reflects the tree’s tulip-like blossoms. The tulip tree is a member of the magnolia family and is hardy in USDA zones 5-9.
Tulip trees have remarkably straight trunks with narrow crowns that spread with age. They grow fast and can reach 150 feet in height. I have never seen them this tall in our area, but did see extremely tall tulip trees when I visited western Connecticut. The canopy was so high, the only way for me to identify it as a tulip tree was the greenish-yellow and orange flower petals that were scattered across the lawn.
The tree blooms in early summer and the upright blossoms are about two inches at the base. The striking blooms can be hidden by the canopy leaves and it can take young trees more than ten years before they blossom.
The leaves of the tulip tree are also unique and impressive. Leaves vary in size, can be as large as a dinner plate, and are deeply lobed. As with the blooms, the leaves resemble the silhouette of a tulip blossom. In summer, the leaves are a deep and glossy emerald green and turn golden yellow early in autumn, making them a tree with multi-seasonal interest.
Illinois Extension says tulip trees are a great option for small and narrow sites where shade is desired because although they can get very tall, they typically spread only about 40 feet, giving them a columnar form often only seen in conifers. Grouping tulip trees together in larger spaces can create a cathedral-like environment, Illinois Extension observes.
Tulip trees attract pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies as well as other wildlife such as birds, rabbits, and squirrels who feed on the seed of the cone-like fruit.
Purchase trees from a local nursery and plant between spring and early fall. Tulip trees do best in a sunny spot that has moist, well-drained soil enriched with compost. Mulch with wood chips to protect shallow roots – remember to create a donut and not a cone with the mulch around the trunk of the tree.
Mulch piled up against the trunk is not healthy for tree growth. Water well when the tree is young. Full shade can stunt the tree’s growth, so full sun is very important. The trees do well in various soil types, including clay, sandy, and loamy soils, but avoid areas that hold water.
The trees do grow fast and their limbs can suffer storm damage because of this.
They have an interesting history. Tulip tree wood was used by early settlers for railroad ties and fence posts. The lightness of the wood also made it a popular choice for making canoes, both by indigenous people and by frontier explorers like Daniel Boone.
