Tulip Poplar

(Liriodendron tulipifera)

Interesting Information About Plant: 

     Early pioneers such as Daniel Boone hollowed out the long, straight trunks to make thin walled canoes.  To this day, Tulip Poplar wood is considered a very valuable timber product.  Tulip tree honey is also a commercial product.  The tree can grow 3 feet per year!  Twigs have a sweet, spicy odor when broken.  Tulip Poplars found in Florida and other southern states tend to have a much less lobed leaf than those found in the more northern states, such as Kentucky in the Ohio Valley.  It is also the official state tree of Kentucky!

Plant Growth Habit: Tree

Height at Maturity: More than 10 Feet

Life Span: Perennial

Seasonal Habit: Deciduous Perennial

Growth Habitat: Full Sun 

Manner of Culture: Landscape /  Native Species  / Mountain Woods Habitat

Thorns on Younger Stem: No

Cross Section of Younger Stem: Smooth bark / Roundish  /  Winged

Stem (or Trunk) Diameter: More Than The Diameter of a Coffee-Mug 

Produces Brownish Bark: Yes  

Bark Peeling in Many Areas: No

Characteristics of Mature (Brownish) Bark: Lines Go Up-Down/Bumpy 

Type of Leaf: Flat, Thin Leaf  

Length of Leaf (or Leaflet): Between the Length of a Credit Card and a Writing-Pen   

Leaf Complexity: Simple

Edge of Leaf: Smooth 

Leaf Arrangement:     Alternate 

Leaf has Petiole:    Yes 

Patterns of Main-Veins on Leaf (or Leaflet):     Palmate

Leaf Hairiness:      No Hairs

Color of Foliage in Summer:  Green 

Change in Color of Foliage in October:      Changes to Yellow   

Flowering Season: Spring (April to June) 

Flowers: Single 

Type of Flower: Colorful Flower  

Color of Flower: Yellow-green petals with an orange corolla

Shape of Individual Flower: Radially Symmetrical 

Size of Individual Flower: Between a Quarter and the Length of a Credit Card  

Sexuality: Male and Female on Same Plant

Size of Fruit: Between a Quarter and the Length of a Credit

Fruit Fleshiness: Dry

Shape of Fruit: Winged    

Color of Fruit at Maturity: Brown or Dry

Fruit Desirable to Birds or Squirrels: Yes, the seeds are.  

Common Name(s): Tulip Poplar

Scientific Name: Liriodendron tulipifera

Family Name (Scientific and Common): Magnoliaceae (Magnolia)

Continent of Origin: North America (East Coast of United States)

Louisville Plants That Are Most Easily Confused With This One:  Oak & Maple

Unique Morphological Features of Plant: The fruit is a stiff conelike aggregate of samaras which mature in the fall.  Be very careful, especially if walking barefoot, because they are very sharp!

Poisonous: None of Plant

Pestiness (weedy, hard to control): Not weedy, but can have these pests / diseases: Aphids, powdery mildew, verticillium wilt

Page prepared by:           

Mary Bystrek                                    

 November 2004