- Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 60 - 90 Feet
- Mature Spread 30 - 50 Feet
- Growing Zones 4 - 9
Tulip Tree is a shade tree that makes for a fantastic element in a large garden. The size of Liriodendron tulipifera is an impressive 90 feet tall with up to a 50-foot canopy when grown in its native habitat of Eastern North America. The stunning yellow-and-orange-colored flowers resemble tulips and appear from May to June. Blooming is better in climates with long, hot summers, like Indiana or Tennessee, where this tree is classified as the state tree.
Mature Tulip Trees make excellent habitat for local wildlife. The nectar of the flowers attracts beneficial pollinators in droves. The fruits and winged seeds provide nutrition for birds and other small animals. The canopy provides shelter and camouflage. Tulip Tree grows quickly, putting on 24 inches of growth a year. In the past, the long straight trunks of this tree were used exclusively for railroad ties and fence posts. The tall trunk and long branches are stately but also prone to breakage during winter storms.
Tulip Tree Care
Tulip Trees can be grown in many different soil types. Choose a full-sun location that’s at least 30 feet away from building foundations and streets. Tulip Tree is not appropriate for small yards or areas with overhead power lines or building eaves. The wide-spreading fibrous roots naturally grow close to the soil surface and do not tolerate competition for moisture from other plants, although they are immune to the effects of Juglone from Black Walnut trees in the soil. Tulip Trees can tolerate wet soil year-round and clay soils with ease. Fertilizing is only needed for the first few years. Use a balanced, granular fertilizer early in the spring. Stake the trunk loosely for the first year.
Pruning is an essential maintenance task for Tulip Tree. Branches can break in storms and pose a hazard to buildings and plants below. Damaged limbs must be removed in late winter while the tree is still dormant. Regular thinning of the canopy should also be done during dormancy every 3-4 years to prevent large amounts of water sprouts from forming. Heading cuts can be made on the canopy to keep the overall height short, but this will need to be done regularly to keep the tree to size.
Tulip Tree Spacing
Tulip Trees grow best on their own as specimens in the landscape. The roots are very shallow and do not tolerate competition from other plants.
Tulip Tree Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 9 |
| Plant Type: Tree |
| Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 60 - 90 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 30 - 50 Feet |
| Spacing: 30 - 50 Feet |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): Orange, Yellow |
| Flower Description: Yellow-Orange |
| Bloom Period: |
| Foliage Type: Deciduous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: Bronze |
| Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Disease, Pests & Insects |
| Tolerates: N/A |
| Attracts: Bees |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Erosion Control, Specimen or Focal Point, Wildlife Gardens |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Low Maintenance, Native to North America |
| Brand: American Beauties Native Plants |
| Common Name: Tulip Tree |
| Other Name(s): Tulip Tree |
| Scientific Name: Liriodendron tulipifera |
- SKU:
- 1231012802-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations