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Tulip tree

16 years ago

Hello all,

I've been doing a little planning while waiting for spring to arrive. Mostly making mental wish lists.

One idea I had was to add a Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) to my yard. I decided that placing it at the bottom of a hill (read drop-off) would allow me to view the flowers from above. My concern is that the spot may be too moist.

After consulting some sources, I found that one of my books says it must be in well drained soil while the other seems to contradict this. Has anyone had any experience growing it in a more moist location. (I'm not expecting it to grow in a wetland but a rather moist 'bottom land'.

Thank you,

David

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Comments (4)

Lynda Waldrep
16 years ago
This is a common tree in our Piedmont NC, and I see it everywhere. It is in the magnolia family. Cullina recommends "fertile,moist soil" He says it is easy to grow from seed if you can find some that the squirrels missed.
dapjwy
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you. I did some more research and found another source that said "rich, moist soil". So, I'm relieved to be able to go forward with my plan. I love the idea of being able to view the flowers which I never see except the petals that litter the forest floor.

For some reason, I'm expecting to see hummingbirds going to the flowers. Has anyone seen them or seen Tulip tree on a hummingbird plant list?

David
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loris
16 years ago
David,

I haven't seen hummingbirds on a tulip tree, but an Internet search came up with a bunch of hits. Here's one that seems reliable enough.

I had read before that tulip tree is a larval host for tiger swallowtail butterflies, and based on the number of tiger swallowtails I see in my area, that seems accurate.

In any case, tulip trees are beautiful trees.

-- Lori

Here is a link that might be useful: pdf from Purdue University
dapjwy
Original Author
16 years ago
Lori,

Thank you for the link. For some reason I thought hummers went to the tulip tree; I must've read it somewhere along the way. Glad to know that I'll be attracting tiger swallowtail butterflies, too.

Now I just need to wait for spring and find a tulip tree or two.
David

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