Tulip tree
Liriodendron tulipifera L.
Also called tulip tree, tulip poplar, yellow poplar.
One of the tallest eastern hardwoods, with a straight trunk, tulip-shaped flowers high in the crown and clear yellow fall colour.
Size over time
Typical landscape size 21–30 m (69–98 ft) tall and 10–15 m (33–49 ft) wide; fast growth, about 15 years to maturity. Intermediate sizes use the planner’s growth curve (k = 0.45) from the BB-2in install size.
Bloom
Yellow-green and orange flowers, May–Jun (northern-hemisphere months; timing shifts with region and season).
| Plant | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulip tree : May–Jun |
Design notes
- Needs space — too large for most small lots and brittle in ice storms.
- Drops yellow leaves early in summer drought.
Regions
Native range: Eastern U.S..
Native to these OpenLandscape3D pilot regions:
Native status describes where the species occurs naturally. It is not a promise that it suits a particular garden; site conditions decide that.
Related plants
Plan with Tulip tree
Place it in a design, check it against your zone, light and moisture, and see it at year three and year ten.