Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera)

How much light does a Tuliptree need?

Light for tuliptree is simple, because full sun is the preferred condition. That means six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. The listed range also includes part shade and full shade. Choose the brightest open spot you have if you want the preferred condition for this tree.

• Light: Full sun, part shade and full shade (full sun preferred)^1,2,3

How often to water a Tuliptree

Tuliptree has a medium water need, and that is both the low and high end of its recorded range. The soil it grows in can be moist or well drained. It also copes with occasional periods of dry soil. Occasionally saturated or very wet soil is on the list as well.

• Water: Medium³

Best soil for a Tuliptree

Soil for tuliptree can be well drained, moist, occasionally dry or occasionally wet. The listing includes consistently moist, well-drained soil, occasional periods of dry soil, and occasionally saturated or very wet soil. It tolerates acid to alkaline soil, with a pH from 5 to 8, as the Cornell woody plants database states. The pH of 5 is the low end and the pH of 8 is the high end of that range.

• Soil drainage: Well drained, moist, occasionally dry and occasionally wet^1,4
• Soil pH: pH 5–8⁴

Hardiness and temperature

Tuliptree is rated for USDA hardiness zones 4a–9b. The recorded zones run through 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a and 9b. The coldest zone listed is 4a, and the warmest is 9b. It is a deciduous tree. Its native status in the lower 48 United States is native.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–9b¹

Pruning a Tuliptree

Hard renewal pruning is the type recorded for tuliptree. NC State says the tree can be coppiced by cutting it to the ground. That can be done every two or three years. Its mature height is 80–120 ft (24.38–36.58 m), and its growth rate is rapid.

• Pruning: Hard renewal pruning¹

How to plant a Tuliptree

Choose tuliptree for USDA zones 4a through 9b. Plan for a mature spread of 30–50 ft (9.14–15.24 m) and a height of 80–120 ft (24.38–36.58 m). The tree is native to the lower 48 United States. Full sun is the preferred light for the planting site. Its soil can be well drained or moist, with a pH from 5 to 8.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–9b¹

Winter care

Winter hardiness for tuliptree runs from zone 4a at the cold end to zone 9b at the warm end. The tree is deciduous, a leaf retention habit recorded for the species. Gardeners in zone 4a are at the cold edge of the listed range. Gardeners in zone 9b are at the warm edge of that range.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–9b¹

How to propagate a Tuliptree

Seed and stem cuttings are the two propagation methods recorded for tuliptree. For the stem cuttings, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center advises collecting them in summer. Seed is the other listed method, giving you a second way to start a new tree. No other propagation method is recorded for this species in the facts behind this page.

• Propagation: Seed and stem cuttings³

Common problems

Two pests are recorded for tuliptree: tuliptree scale and tuliptree aphid. Aphids, particularly tuliptree aphid, can build up to large numbers. The listed diseases are canker, leaf spot, powdery mildew, sooty mold and verticillium wilt. Verticillium wilt causes wilting and death of leaves on infected branches.

• Common pests: tuliptree scale and tuliptree aphid²
• Common diseases: canker, leaf spot, powdery mildew, sooty mold and verticillium wilt²

Questions and answers

Is tuliptree toxic to cats and dogs?

The ASPCA lists tuliptree as non-toxic to dogs and non-toxic to cats. NC State Extension's Plant Toolbox tags it non-toxic for both animals as well. Both entries read non-toxic.

How tall does a tuliptree grow?

A mature tuliptree reaches 80–120 ft (24.38–36.58 m) tall. Its mature spread is 30–50 ft (9.14–15.24 m). Its growth rate is rapid. The tree is deciduous.

How much sun does a tuliptree need?

Full sun is preferred, meaning six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Part shade and full shade also appear in its listed range.