Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipfera)
One of the tallest and most beautiful eastern hardwoods, with a long, straight trunk, a narrow crown that spreads with age, and large showy flowers resembling tulips. Showy, yellow-orange, tulip-like flowers are often missed because they are up 50 feet or higher in the tops of trees. Cone-shaped seed heads remain after leaves have fallen. It is also a host plant for the Easter Tiger Swallowtail and 16 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org)
Photo Credit: John Blair
One of the tallest and most beautiful eastern hardwoods, with a long, straight trunk, a narrow crown that spreads with age, and large showy flowers resembling tulips. Showy, yellow-orange, tulip-like flowers are often missed because they are up 50 feet or higher in the tops of trees. Cone-shaped seed heads remain after leaves have fallen. It is also a host plant for the Easter Tiger Swallowtail and 16 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org)
Photo Credit: John Blair
One of the tallest and most beautiful eastern hardwoods, with a long, straight trunk, a narrow crown that spreads with age, and large showy flowers resembling tulips. Showy, yellow-orange, tulip-like flowers are often missed because they are up 50 feet or higher in the tops of trees. Cone-shaped seed heads remain after leaves have fallen. It is also a host plant for the Easter Tiger Swallowtail and 16 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org)
Photo Credit: John Blair
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial (Full is ideal)
Soil Moisture: Wet, Medium-wet, Medium
Height: 70-90 feet
Plant Spacing: 40 feet
Bloom Time: April-June
Bloom Color: Yellow, Green, Brown
Advantages: Bird Favorite, Pollinator Favorite
Host Plant: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Polyphemus, Cecropia, possibly the Spicebush Swallowtail, and 13 other species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant in our area (nwf.org)