The flowers are yellowish-green, with a touch of orange on the outside. The smooth green leaves are broadly lobed and turn vivid golden yellow in fall. The trees are best planted in early spring once the final frost has passed. They’ll grow rapidly at first (more than 25 inches a year), then slow as they get older. In the spring, the tulip tree draws pollinators like hummingbirds and bees to the nectar in its flowers, while bobwhites, rabbits, squirrels, and other animals prefer to feed on the seed. The cone-like fruit the blooms leave behind also adds ornamental value. Tulip trees can be purchased from a local nursery and planted any time between spring and early fall. They’ll fare best in a sunny spot in moist, well-drained, compost-amended soil. Bark mulch or wood chips will protect their shallow roots and help to keep the soil moist—young trees need lots of water. Size is a factor in deciding where to plant your tulip tree: They can reach 90 feet or more in height, with a canopy width just under one half their height at maturity. The branches begin rather far up the straight trunk and are often arranged symmetrically. However, the trade-off for their fast growth is relatively weak limbs, which can create a hazard in storms. Tulip tree will either get to its full width or full height, but not both. Trees with full access to the sun will reach full width and stay shorter, and trees with less access to the sun will grow taller and less wide.
Light
Tulip trees prefer full sun or partial sun. Full shade can stunt the tree’s growth and cause its leaves to turn brown. The sunnier the area where you plant your tulip tree, the better.
Soil
These trees prefer slightly acidic, well-drained, deep soil amended with plenty of compost. They can thrive, though, within a pH range of 5.0 to 8.0. Tulip trees can handle clay, sandy, or loamy soils as long as the soil doesn’t hold water too long.
Water
As you get your tree started, water it regularly during dry, hot spells and keep an eye on its leaves. If you notice the leaves drop earlier than usual (early fall is typical), this could indicate the tree is not getting enough water.
Temperature and Humidity
Tulip trees like a temperate climate, which is why it can typically be found in the Eastern United States. While it prefers normal moisture levels, it can tolerate drought in locations with high humidity.
Fertilizer
Granular, liquid, or stake type fertilizers are recommended for tulip trees. For the amount to use, follow the product label instructions. Newly planted trees respond well to fertilization, but older trees generally don’t require it. However, nitrogen fertilizers should not be used on newly planted trees.
Types of Tulip Tree
Tulip trees are sometimes referred to as “tulip poplar” and “yellow poplar” trees, perhaps because their leaves shake in the breeze like those of poplars. However, they are not poplars at all and instead belong to the Magnoliaceae family. Cultivars of tulip trees include:
‘Emerald City’: Darker green foliage, upright, oval growth reaching 55 feet high and 25 feet wide’Little Volunteer’: A dwarf cultivar, growing just 30 to 35 feet high and 18 to 20 feet wide; features smaller leaves’Arnold’: Narrow form with columnar crown, early to flower’Fastigiatum’: Upright, narrow form growing to 40 feet high and 15 feet wide
Pruning Tulip Trees
Because tulip trees grow so fast, pruning is imperative in order to keep them shapely and controlled. Their large branches are not particularly sturdy and can pose a hazard. Remove dead or weak growth in late winter and early spring, and do a thorough thinning every few years.
Propagating Tulip Trees
If you choose not to purchase your tulip tree from a nursery, you can instead propagate one using cuttings from a mother tree by following these steps:
Common Pests
Tulip trees attract tulip tree scales and tulip tree aphids. Their feeding produces honeydew which can lead to sooty mold. These pest are temporary and rarely require control measures.
Common Problems
The wood of the tulip tree is very soft and the twigs, limbs, and branches are prone to breakage, especially in a windy location. Tulip trees can be messy, as their flower petals will litter the area below just after blooming. The trees are also notorious for dropping sticky sap, so avoid planting a tulip tree near an area where cars will be parked—it’s no fun trying to remove the sap from a car windshield.
