| The characteristic blunt leaf of the Liriodendron |
A neighbour once asked me whether she should worry about tree roots invading her drains if she selected a “yellow poplar” through Toronto’s street tree program, as poplar roots are notorious for their water-seeking ways. I assured her that the yellow-poplar isn’t actually a poplar, but (along with whitewood) simply one of the assorted common names for Liriodendron tulipifera, the native North American tulip tree.
‘Liriodendron’ means lily tree and ‘tulipifera’ means tulip-making, both in relation to the large-ish, single flower – as you might expect from a member of the magnolia family. So tulip tree is a much more appropriate common name. Unfortunately, you’re unlikely to see this attractive green and yellow or orange tulip-y bloom until the tree is about 15 years old, or 20 feet/6.5 meters tall – and, even then, they often appear near the top of the tree, where it’s hard to appreciate their form. Unless you’re a bee. Tulip trees are very attractive to bees.
 |
| Tulip tree leaves catching the light, and the silhouette of a visitor |
Nevertheless, I’m inordinately fond of the tulip tree, if for no other reason than their unusually shaped leaves, with their truncated apex. This distinctive leaf shape is the easiest way to recognize Liriodendron during the growing season. Tulip trees are being planted more frequently, and it always delights me to encounter one. The large, mid-green leaves can glow in the sunlight, and in fall can turn a rich shade of gold.
This is a fairly adaptable tree when it comes to growing conditions and climate. In Southern Ontario, we’re at the northern limit of its native zone, which stretches all the way down the eastern continent to Florida. I’ve seen it listed as both shade-intolerant and somewhat shade tolerant, so I suspect culture has an impact on this. Like many of the most attractive forest dwellers, tulip tree does best in deep, rich, moist, slightly acidic soil, where it can grow to a significant size fairly rapidly.
For more info on and pictures of Liriodendron, drop by Walter Muma’s useful Ontario Trees and Shrubs website. To download a brochure on Toronto’s street tree program, visit the City of Toronto Urban Forestry page.
10 comments
It's one of my favorites, too, and I enjoy pointing it out when I do tours at Cornell Plantations. People seem to like knowing it's the tallest native tree in the North American east, but a bit sad at hearing it was once an act of revolutionary pride to cut them down so that the Brits could not use them for ship masts. Plant lore…
I made it my mission one spring to look for the blooms – having only ever before noticed the seed capsules. Now that I've seen the flowers, I'm not sure there are any prettier on Earth. But then orange and green are my two favorite colors for flowers… (I even posted a rave review about it here: http://blog.blithewold.org/roses/tulip-tree-mania/)
Lynn and Kris, Thanks so much for the great lore and link. I've yet to see the tulip tree in actual flower, so it's just the leaves that have my fancy. Sounds like once I lock eyes on the flower, I'll be totally smitten. The tallest specimens I've seen in the city so far are about 40 feet tall.
I just planted one of these seedlings this summer … a volunteer that my dad brought me. I look forward to watching it grow. I love the leaves. Flowers are a bonus, but the leaves are beautiful enough. Like most poplars (?), a fast grower? Good for me since my garden is so young. Also a host plant for the tiger swallowtail butterfly.
I saw these trees close up for the first time just last year. They were growing in the woods along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. The flowers were so pretty, even when they were old and scattered on the ground!
I did not know there was another common name for a tulip tree. And what gorgeous photos of the leaves against the blue, blue sky.
It has been worth returning, until I could see these unique leaves.
We like Liriodendron here but they can arbitrarily up and die. Even in Yarmouth, a mild part of the province. Magnolias are more consistent for us.
I have a young sapling that I am planting near Peterborough (Zone 4b). Propagated locally by a nursery. Should I cover it in some way during its first winter?
My guess is no, but I'd recommend that you put that question to your local nursery. They're far more informed about your growing conditions in your region over winter.