Tulip Poplar Tree

Tulip Poplar Tree is a magnificent North American native with unique, tulip-shaped flowers that bloom in late spring, featuring a stunning palette of lime green, yellow, and vibrant orange hidden among distinctively "four-lobed" leaves. Tulip Poplars stand as one of the tallest deciduous trees in the East, reaching heights of 70 to 90 feet with a perfectly straight, noble trunk. It is exceptionally fast-growing, making it an excellent timber tree, and quickly establishes a massive cooling canopy with foliage that turns a brilliant, luminous gold in autumn. Tulip Poplars are also a top-tier pollinator tree, providing massive amounts of nectar for honeybees and butterflies, and is also pest-resistant and hardy, thriving in a wide range of soil conditions. Growers appreciate the Tulip Poplar's symmetrical, upright form that adds a refined, estate-like elegance to large lawns. The Tulip Poplar is also the state tree of Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Also Known As: Tulip Poplar, Yellow Poplar, Tulip Tree, Whitewood, Canoe Wood, Liriodendron, Saddle-leaf Tree, Tulipanero, Tulipier de Virginie, Tulpenbaum, Yellow Liriodendron, American Tulip Tree, Fiddle Tree, North American Poplar.

Plant Name:	Tree, Tulip Poplar
Latin Name:	Liriodendron tulipifera
Days to Germinate:	14-28
Days to Bloom:	10 - 20 Years
Plant Height:	70 - 120 Feet
Spread:	30 - 50 Feet
Bloom Diameter:	2 - 3 Inches
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	4-9
Lifespan:	Perennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2026

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose a clear, sunny location that is not in the shade of other trees and receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Trees establish roots better in sandy, well-drained soils rather than heavy, poorly drained soil. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 6-8 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or compost to improve drainage. Optionally, either form rows of soil beds or hills 4-6 inches high and at least 50 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage, ensure good airflow, and make harvesting or maintenance easier.

Planting:

Starting Indoors: Seeds require cold, moist stratification to break dormancy. To stratify, roll seeds in a damp paper towel and place in a resealable bag. Place the bag in the refrigerator to keep seeds at 35F-40F for 60-90 days, mimicking winter conditions. After the stratification period, seeds should be ready to germinate. To germinate seeds, place the bags in a warm 70F-90F area. After 10 days, plant the seeds in small pots with moist potting soil and in a warm, sunny location that is at least 65F, about 1 month after the last expected frost in spring. Keep the soil moist, allowing the top inch of soil to dry in between waterings.

Once the seedlings have developed a few sets of leaves and are at least 6 inches in height, harden off seedlings then transplant outdoors in the spring, in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 60F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny, permanent location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant seeds in late summer to naturally cold-stratify seeds. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 30-40 feet apart down the rows of raised beds. For timber production, plant 15-20 feet apart. Plant 1 seed per hole, then cover thinly with soil. Seedbeds can be covered with plastic film to promote germination. Water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	30-40 feet
Between-Row Spacing:	50 feet

Care During the Season:

Tulip Poplars are fast-growing and thrive with consistent hydration and minimal intervention. In Spring, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer before the unique four-lobed leaves emerge to fuel its rapid growth; this is also the best time to plant or transplant young trees to take advantage of the mild weather and rising sap. During the Summer, provide deep, weekly watering—especially during the first few years or in periods of extreme drought—to prevent premature yellowing and leaf drop, which is the tree's natural defense against heat stress. As Fall arrives, enjoy the brilliant golden transformation of the foliage and ensure the tree is well-mulched out to the drip line to protect its relatively shallow root system from temperature swings. In Winter, the tree enters dormancy, making it the ideal window for structural pruning to remove any weak or storm-damaged limbs; additionally, for young saplings, consider using a tree wrap to protect the thin bark from "sunscald" or frost cracks during particularly harsh freezes.