There are many great deciduous shade trees for yards. Both red and white oaks, for example, will grow straight and true. Red oaks tend to grow faster. There are several other nice shade trees, but one for
which you’ve hear very little is the Tulip Tree.
The Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is native to eastern North America and gets its common name for its tulip-like flowers. It’s also called canoe wood as Eastern American Indians frequently used it to make
their dugout canoes.
Tulip Trees are hardy, fast growing and the tallest of all eastern hardwoods, commonly reaching heights of well over 100 feet with a diameter of 5+ feet. It can easily reach 60 feet tall in 15-20 years.
Life spans are well over 200 years. They are fast-growing in youth, taking on the pyramidal form of a Pin Oak. Later, growth slows with the limbs taking on a more rounded shape. Tulip Tree leaves look like
someone has cut the top off a maple leaf. They are deciduous and dark green with a polished appearance, turning yellow in fall. Young tree leaves are much larger those in older trees. The fragrant flowers produced in spring are large, tulip-shaped, and greenish yellow with orange markings inside.
Interestingly, if the tree severely damaged or even cut off in its early years, it will regenerate itself at the base or ground level.
Tulip trees will accept clay, loam and sandy soils. They especially like rich, moist, well-drained soils and full sun to light shade. It prefers a slightly acid soil but is quite adaptable. Don’t plant next to
a house, as it needs plenty of root room!
The Tulip Tree is a great shade tree, although finding one in your local nurseries can be a problem. Google it for nursery sources.
