Tulip Tree (Tulip Poplar)
Liriodendron tulipifera · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Magnoliaceae (Magnolia family)
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Flowering Tree, Timber Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4 through 9; adaptable to various climates but thrives in temperate regions with reliable rainfall.
About This Tree
A massive, fast-growing deciduous tree with a straight, tall trunk and a symmetrical, pyramidal to oval crown. It is one of the tallest native broadleaf trees in North America, often developing a high canopy and clear trunk in forest settings.
Leaf Characteristics
Uniquely four-lobed leaves with a broad notch at the tip (tulip-shaped), 4-6 inches long/wide, bright green in summer turning brilliant golden yellow in autumn. Arrangement is alternate with smooth margins.
Bark Characteristics
In youth, the bark is smooth and light gray with small white spots. With age, it develops deep, vertical furrows and thick, interlacing ridges that form a diamond pattern.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eastern North America (from Southern Ontario to Florida and west to the Mississippi River)
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring; flowers in late spring/early summer (May-June); seeds mature in autumn; enters dormancy in late autumn after vibrant yellow fall color.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun is required for optimal growth. Prefers deep, moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Moderate drought tolerance once established but prefers consistent moisture.
Mature Size
70-100 feet tall (can exceed 150 feet in the wild) with a spread of 35-50 feet. Fast growth rate (2+ feet per year). Lifespan can exceed 200 years.
Special Characteristics
Produces showy tulip-shaped flowers (greenish-yellow with orange centers); high timber value for furniture and construction; excellent pollution tolerance; distinctive 'cone-like' seed clusters (samaras) that persist into winter.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides high-value nectar for honeybees and hummingbirds; host plant for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Promethea silkmoth; seeds provide food for squirrels, rabbits, and various songbirds; large size provides excellent nesting sites for raptors.