At maturity, tulip trees can reach over 100 feet tall with 80-foot spread. When, Where and How to Plant. This article has been viewed 33,865 times. Fast growing trees typically have shorter lifespans, but several Poplar trees have been documented well over 200 years old. If you're planting a sapling, waiting until spring might be ideal. The tulip tree is relatively free of pests and diseases. It’s a fast-growing tree that can reach a tall height (over 40 ft) within a few decades. Thomas Jefferson once described it as, ''the Juno of our Groves.'' If needed, a few small branches can be removed in summer after the leaves have reached full size. If the plant was supplied bare rooted, check the trunk of your plant to see where the soil level was before. Tulip tree flower petals are also large, frequently 3 to 8 inches long. The plant is attractive to numerous pollinating insects and birds. It is commonly known as tulip poplar or canoe poplar, owing to its tall straight trunk and lightweight timber. The tulip tree is relatively free of pests and diseases. A fast-growing tree with bright green leaves that resemble tulip flowers in profile and turn golden yellow in fall. in diameter covering the plant. The plant isn’t suitable for every landscape, as it can exceed 120 feet (36.5 m.) in height, but it is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 9. Tulip Tree flower bud about to open, in mid-June. You can lift tulip bulbs to replant in autumn or leave them in the ground to establish. Details L. tulipifera is a vigorous large deciduous tree with distinctively shaped leaves turning butter-yellow in autumn. Tulip trees are hardy to zone 5 and perhaps zone 4 in a protected spot. Photo by Forest and Kim Starr An African tulip tree in bloom is a remarkable burst of color. The best time to grow a tulip tree is in full sun to the partial sun though they prefer full sun conditions. Space trees at least 40 feet apart, closer for dwarf selections. If you have a choice, plant them on the bottom part of a slope or in a sheltered cove. Moisture: Needs a lot of moisture during the summer. They can grow for decades and will tower at more than 150 feet in height. How to grow Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree) Commonly known as the Tulip Tree, this is a large and stately tree favoured for its flowers and foliage. Place them in the holes pointy-side up (otherwise they'll try to sprout downward). It's also a hardwood, which many fast-growing trees are not. These trees are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in the fall. They will also get their blooms fairly quickly. Give it plenty of root room. Unfortunately, this tree is a victim to several canker diseases and poplar weevils. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. But this individual has retained some branches lower down. Granular, liquid, or stake type fertilizers are recommended. Planting Tips. The tulip-shaped flowers vary in color from pink to pinkish-purple. In late spring to early summer, tulip-shaped, yellowish-green flowers, 1.5 in. Tulip poplars grow best in gentle, concave slopes. Older trees generally don't require fertilization. (George Weigel) Q: I was thinking of getting a tulip poplar tree for my large backyard. Avoid hot, dry sites. This is known as propagation and the small sections cut from the branches are called cuttings or stem cuttings. (zones 4-9) Transplant one in the spring instead of waiting until autumn to give it a full growing season t… Tulip Poplars generally won’t thrive in shallow clay soils and tend not to tolerate drought. Once it is established and a bit more hardy, you can move it to wherever you would like it to be in your yard or garden. The tulip tree should be strongly considered for mid-sized and large landscapes. The tulip poplar is also a quick-growing tree. Tulip trees are very popular hardwood trees grown for their beautiful leaves, tulip-like blossoms and fast growth. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. or longer. The tulip poplar tree is not a poplar tree and not related to tulip flowers but is actually a member of the Magnolia family. Their preference is for acid or neutral soils (pH 6.1-7.5). Plant the tulip tree as you would any other bare-root plant. It is bursting with tulip-shaped flowers in springtime and flaunts brilliant yellow leaves in the fall. I'd say 3-5 is a good amount, depending on how big you expect your trees to get. Other cultivars such as the Tulip Poplar grow to … The time you should plant will depend on the type of planting you're doing. For this reason, you should store tulip bulbs in paper bags, not plastic, while waiting to plant them, and keep them in a cool place. Tulip trees grow best in full to partial sun and well-drained soil. The tulip tree, liriodendron tulipifera, does double duty as a shade tree and an ornamental. The tall tree with the tulip-shaped leaves and striking greenish yellow blossoms is the state tree of Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee. The tulip tree will grow well in full or partial sunshine, in soil with a slight acidity and in ground that drains fairly well. They grow best in deep well-drained loam which has thick dark topsoil . The growth rate of the Tulip tree is moderate to high. Features bright green leaves that resemble tulip flowers; Blooms in May and June, producing tulip-shaped flowers with aromatic stems The Tulip Poplar tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is also known as the American tulip tree, whitewood, fiddle-tree, and yellow poplar. Put the sapling in a bucket of water (ideally rainwater) for a few hours; do not let it soak overnight. Deciduous Magnolia trees are light feeders, however will benefit from fertilization. Prune out dead and weak growth in late winter to early spring and do a thorough thinning every few years. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Plant-a-Tulip-Poplar-Tree-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-a-Tulip-Poplar-Tree-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Plant-a-Tulip-Poplar-Tree-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid4922817-v4-728px-Plant-a-Tulip-Poplar-Tree-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"