How to Grow Your Own Tulip Tree

Scientifically classified as Liriodendron tulipfera, Tulip trees other desirable qualities to gardeners and some drawbacks included. If you want a tulip tree in your garden, it hinges on where you wish to grow one in the garden. They live up to their name because their blooming flowers resemble the ground variety. Contrary to the linking between different tree species, such as “tulip poplar,” tulip trees are not the same as magnolia or poplar. Tulip trees are not related to the flower on the ground, nor are they related to poplars. They come from the magnolia family instead. The American Tulip Tree is NOT the same as the African Tulip tree; the African tree is a tropical tree with flowers of its own, but the former tree is a plant vulnerable during Autumn time which is the worst time to plant it and is valued for being a fall-foliage tree.

The best growing conditions of tulip trees

Located in the east of North America, which is their native habitat, tulip trees are a straight-trunked and tall tree species, which can reach up to 90 feet in height and can sometimes exceed that. Their canopy width would typically be found to be less than one half of their height when they reach full maturity. The branches of the tulip tree begin to grow far up the tree’s trunk and can are usually arranged symmetrically. The conclave tips of the leaves, or where you’d typically expect to find the tip in a tree leaf, would suggest someone had walked along, picked up the leaves, and took a bite out of them, which is how people can identify the tulip tree.

Tulip trees get their name from the yellow-green in their colouring, though they might have a tinge of orange on their outsides. They bloom in the late spring, and the cone-shaped fruit they leave behind has a kind of ornamental value. The best time to grow a tulip tree is in full sun to the partial sun though they prefer full sun conditions. The hole must be deep, be well-drained with plenty of water being provided for the tree to flourish, in a soil amended environment with compost, and lots of it. Soil amendments are just elements that have been added to the soil. These are natural elements; peat moss, manure which acts as natural fertiliser though an artificial chemical fertiliser is sometimes used.

Tulip trees are not suited to all landscape, and its height can indeed reach heights exceeding 120 feet. The tulip tree grows, beginning in the shape of a pyramid-like shape, and grows into an arching dome. During low-light conditions, the branches become thin and rather weak. The tree has a fairly fleshy root, it doesn’t extend too far beneath the surface or away from the plant, so soil which is well worked is vital.

Warnings of Growing Tulip Trees

Some people believe tulip trees are best grown and best suited in large properties. That isn’t quite true. Tulip trees can be considered “messy” for homeowners, this is because the petals of their flowers will just litter the ground immediately after blooming. In the same period, aphids are attracted to the honeydew secretion of the tree and make a mess most homeowners will find disagreeable.

Tulip trees also have shallow roots, similar to evergreen trees, so this makes the tree rather difficult to plant. Tulip trees should not be planted in regions near homes that are prone to hurricanes; in that case, a smaller tree is a better choice, otherwise, the tulip tree could cause damage. Some of the leaves of the tulip tree will turn into a yellow colour and they’ll prematurely drop because the trees do not tolerate drought; this usually happens in dry summers.

Tulip trees are extremely easy to look after – fertilise them in the early spring, watch out for pests and disease while making sure you don’t overwater it. The tree grows rapidly – pruning is essential. The tulip tree is a challenge for other trees, and any brittle branches can pose a major problem to vehicles or people moving nearby. The best time to deal with this problem is during early winter.

Attraction

Tulip trees attract pests and disease, like weevils and aphids, but the tree also draws in birds like hummingbirds which are attracted to the rich nectar the trees produce in its flowers, while animals like rabbits and squirrels feed on the seeds of the tulip tree.