Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Description
The Tulip poplar is a deciduous tree with palmately-veined lobed leaves in an alternate arrangement. Mature trees have bark with ridges separated by wide, lighter furrows and the top of the tree often tapers to a point. The fragrant green to orange cup-like flowers appear in spring and summer, and the leaves turn a brilliant yellow in the fall. Winged seeds develop from the flowers and are released in the fall.
Gardening Tips
| Care | Known Problems | How to Harvest | Mature Size | Notes/Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does best in moist, well-drained acidic soil with full sun or partial shade but will perform poorly in very hot or dry conditions; When planting, a large area must be available for its growth; It can be kept as a shrub through pruning and cutting to the ground every few years | Aphids are pests for the poplar, causing them to secrete honeydew on which mold and mildew may grow; Limbs break easily | Seeds can be harvested and sewn in the fall; Clear-cutting is the method most often used to harvest the wood | height: up to 120 feet trunk diameter: up to fix feet width: up to 60 feet |
Valuable as hardwood for furniture, boats, paper pulp, musical instruments, etc; Deer and other wildlife eat the leaves, flowers and seeds of the tulip poplar; It attracts a variety of pollinators and is used in all garden types |