+
+
Liriodendron tulipifera

Liriodendron tulipifera

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

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

Get to know Ebben Nurseries

Visit our nurseries with multi-stem trees, climbing trees, trees for avenues and parks characteristic trees and solitary shrubs.

Make an appointment

Place order or further information?

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.
Our planting advisors

Photos

Magnify

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

Contact
Show filters Hide filters
Show comparison
View mood board
TreeEbb

TreeEbb

Geographic location
Winter hardiness zone
OK
Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
-
m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
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
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
OK
Bark colour
OK
Special features
OK
English
View mood board
Show comparison
Your selection:
STAY UP TO DATE
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SUBSCRIBING
×
Cookie settings

We use cookies when offering electronic services. A cookie is a small, simple file that is sent with the pages of this website and stored on the hard disk of your computer by your browser. This allows us to combine various requests for pages on the website and analyse users’ behaviour, for example. You can indicate which cookies you wish to accept using the settings below. Bear in mind that not accepting cookies will mean that part of the functionality of this website may not be available. You can find more information about the use of data and the various cookies in our privacy and cookie declaration.