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Liriodendron tulipifera

Liriodendron tulipifera

Tulip tree, American tulip tree, tuliptree, tulip poplar, whitewood, fiddle-tree, yellow poplar

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Description

Liriodendron tulipifera (American tulip tree) belongs to the Magnoliaceae family and was widespread in prehistoric times, but later on only grew in the Eastern United States. Here, it is still one of the most important types of hardwood. The tree naturally grows in moist environments, along with Nyssa sylvatica, Taxodium distichum and Liquidambar styraciflua. It grows on the lower slopes of the Appalachians with Cornus florida, Acer rubrum, Juglans nigra, Robinia pseudoacacia and Pinus strobus. And higher up, where the tree can reach its maximum height of a whopping 80 metres, along with Fraxinus americana, Quercus rubra and Acer saccharum. In cultivation, the tree does not grow taller than 35 to 40 metres or wider than 10 to 15 metres. The crown is open and widely ovoid, and the trunk is perfectly straight.

When it is older, Liriodendron tulipifera blooms tulip-shaped flowers that stay on the tree from early June to way into July. They are beautiful flowers with a yellow-orange heart, which do not stand out due to their greenish exterior and because they are high up in the tree. The leaves are a fresh green with a blue-green underside and have a characteristic tulip shape with four lobes. Its autumn colours range from spectacularly bright yellow to golden yellow; in that season, the tree is an absolute showpiece in every park and every (large) garden. Its decorative bark is a striking light-grey, with net-like furrows.

The tulip tree naturally occurs in soils that are rich and fertile with a lot of space to root, to river islands that are sandy and moist but not flooded. Later on - when the tree is about 15 years old - it develops a deep taproot, making it very wind-proof and drought-proof. But the wood of the Liriodendron tulipifera is brittle, and to prevent the branches from blowing out, the species should definitely be planted in an area that is sheltered from the wind. Plant the American tulip tree in an environment with nutrient-rich, permeable soil and sunlight for the most beautiful autumn colours.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees feathered trees multi-stemmed trees shade trees

Use

Location

street avenue square car park / parking lot park central reservation large garden cemetery traffic areas, industrial zones

Pavement

none none open open sealed sealed

Planting concepts

eco planting prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

egg-shaped egg-shaped

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

25 - 30 m

Width

10 - 15 m

Winter hardiness zone

5B - 10A

Aspects

Wind

intolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral

Host plant/forage plant

bees butterflies nectar value 3 pollen value 3

Extreme environments

tolerant to dryness tolerates air pollution

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Liriodendron tulipifera? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
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Photos

Magnify
high-stem standard tree
Liriodendron tulipifera standard tree
multi-stem multi-stem
Liriodendron tulipifera multi-stem
high-stem standard tree
Liriodendron tulipifera standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Liriodendron tulipifera standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Liriodendron tulipifera standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Liriodendron tulipifera standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Liriodendron tulipifera standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Liriodendron tulipifera standard tree
multi-stem-umbrella multi-stem umbrella
Liriodendron tulipifera multi-stem umbrella
multi-stem-umbrella multi-stem umbrella
Liriodendron tulipifera multi-stem umbrella
flowers flowers
Liriodendron tulipifera flowers
flowers flowers
Liriodendron tulipifera flowers
flowers flowers
Liriodendron tulipifera flowers
flowers flowers
Liriodendron tulipifera flowers
leaves leaves
Liriodendron tulipifera leaves
leaves leaves
Liriodendron tulipifera leaves
leaves leaves
Liriodendron tulipifera leaves
leaves leaves
Liriodendron tulipifera leaves
leaves leaves
Liriodendron tulipifera leaves
fruits fruits
Liriodendron tulipifera fruits
fruits fruits
Liriodendron tulipifera fruits
fruits fruits
Liriodendron tulipifera fruits
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Liriodendron tulipifera autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Liriodendron tulipifera autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Liriodendron tulipifera autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Liriodendron tulipifera autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Liriodendron tulipifera autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Liriodendron tulipifera autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Liriodendron tulipifera autumn leaves
bark bark
Liriodendron tulipifera bark
bark bark
Liriodendron tulipifera bark
bark bark
Liriodendron tulipifera bark
twigs twigs
Liriodendron tulipifera twigs
twigs twigs
Liriodendron tulipifera twigs
twigs twigs
Liriodendron tulipifera twigs
twigs twigs
Liriodendron tulipifera twigs
twigs twigs
Liriodendron tulipifera twigs
twigs twigs
Liriodendron tulipifera twigs
twigs twigs
Liriodendron tulipifera twigs
twigs twigs
Liriodendron tulipifera twigs

Seasonal colours

Liriodendron tulipifera seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

tulip-shaped striking standing

Flower colour

orange yellow-green

Flowering period

June - July

Leaves

Leaf colour

pale green underside blue-green

Leaves

deciduous laciniate lobate

Autumn colour

golden yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

brown

Fruits

striking winged nut cones

Bark

Bark colour

pale grey

Bark

furrowed

Twigs

Twig colour

brown-violet

Twigs

bare with lenticels

Root system

Root system

deep shallow extensive fleshy roots tap root

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Location
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Pavement
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Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
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Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
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Topiary on stem
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Topiary
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Height
m
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m
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Width
m
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m
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Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
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December
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Flower colour
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Autumn colour
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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British Asssociation of Landscape Industries

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E info@ebben.nl

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