Tulip Tree

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