Skip to content
← Plant Database

American Tuliptree

Liriodendron tulipifera

Also listed as Liriodendron fastigiatum, Liriodendron procerum

Also known as Tulip Tree, Yellow Poplar, Tulip Poplar

tree☀️ full sun💧💧 moderate water❄ Hardy: Zone 5a – Zone 9b

Climate Match for your location

See how well American Tuliptree grows in your area.

Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.

A tall, fast-growing native tree with distinctive tulip-shaped flowers in spring and golden fall foliage. An excellent shade and specimen tree for large landscapes.

Why grow it

Liriodendron tulipifera grows faster and taller than most native deciduous shade trees, reaching 80-120 feet, making it valuable for creating canopy structure quickly in large landscapes. Its tulip-shaped flowers and consistent golden fall color provide season-long visual interest that outperforms many common shade trees like oaks or maples in terms of ornamental appeal. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and thrives in full sun to partial shade across much of eastern North America.

Watch out for

Young trees benefit from consistent moisture and stake support, as their rapid growth can produce somewhat brittle branch angles that may split under heavy snow or wind loads. The tree's aggressive root system can compete with understory plants and damage nearby hardscaping, requiring thoughtful placement in smaller properties. Heavy leaf drop in fall creates substantial cleanup requirements in manicured landscapes.

Overview

Form
Pyramidal
Growth Rate
fast
Size
80–120′ tall × 30–50′ wide
Dormancy
deciduous
Family
Magnoliaceae
EdibleBiomass and mulch
Coppicing

Native to the United States

Native Range

Eastern North America

Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Season of Interest

SpringSummerFall

Similar canopy trees you might consider:

Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.

Companion Planting

Plants well with