Tulip Tree
Scientific Name: Liriodendron Tulipifera
Height: 80 ft
Width: 40 ft
Growing rate: around 24 in a year
Seasons
In fall, the Tulip tree turns a yellow color. In the late Spring it can produce flowers up to 2.5 inches in diameter after it is 15 years old.
Growing Tips
This is a very versatile tree that can grow in sun or part sun, and even shade once established. Leaves will turn yellow and fall during summer when too dry, so water deeply. Tulip trees grow in an oval shape.
Fun Facts
The Tulip tree is a native, large shade tree
George Washington planted tulip trees at Mount Vernon which are now 140' tall.
They can live up to 300 years
The bark on the tree will change with age. When the tree is young it has a more smooth, light gray, shallow trunk with whitish furrows. When it gets older, the bark becomes thick, deep interlacing furrows and round ridges.
Wildlife
It is a larval host plant to the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly and it also has special value to honeybees. This tree is a favorite nesting tree for American Goldfinches, Cardinals, Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds, Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker, etc.
Additional Resources:
Tuliptree | The Morton Arboretum
Liriodendron tulipifera - Plant Finder
Tulip Tree | Missouri Department of Conservation
Tuliptree - Shenandoah National Park (U.S. National Park Service)