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Common Name: Tulip Tree

General Information

Liriodendron tulipifera is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 30.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Florida.

Habitat

Deep rich rather moist soils on mountain slopes and by streams[]. Rich woodlands, bluffs, low mountains, and hills from sea level to 1500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	30.00 m
Pollinators	Beetles
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a deep rich soil[, , ] and a sheltered but not overshadowed position[]. Prefers a slightly acid soil[]. Succeeds in sun or semi-shade[].
A very ornamental plant[], it is fast-growing and moderately long-lived in its native range[]. Flowers are first produced when the tree is about 15 - 20 years old[]. Liriodendron tulipifera is the state tree of both Indiana and Tennessee[].
Intolerant of root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots and placed into their final positions as soon as possible. Any transplanting is best done in May[].
Trees flower best in regions with long hot summers[].
Plants are particularly susceptible to attacks by rabbits and hares[]. The flowers produce considerable nectar, making this a good bee plant[, ].
Cultivated for its wood in Europe50].

Edible Uses

The root is used as a lemon-like flavouring in spruce beer, where it also serves to correct the bitterness of the beer[]. The bark of the root and branches have a pleasant rather pungent scent[].

Medicinal

The intensely acrid bitter inner bark, especially of the roots, is used domestically as a diuretic, tonic and stimulant[, ]. The raw green bark is also chewed as an aphrodisiac[, ]. The bark contains 'tulipiferine', which is said to exert powerful effects on the heart and nervous system[, , ]. A tea is used in the treatment of indigestion, dysentery, rheumatism, coughs, fevers etc[, ]. Externally, the tea is used as a wash and a poultice on wounds and boils[].
The root bark and the seeds have both been used to expel worms from the body[, ].

Other Uses

A gold-coloured dye is obtained from the bark[].
Wood - fine grained, soft, light, easily worked, durable, brittle, not strong but does not split. A valuable timber, it weighs 26lb per cubic foot and is much used for interior finishes, furniture, construction and plywood[, , , , , ]. Native north americans used the tree for making canoes[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady place in a cold frame[, , ]. Stored seed requires 3 weeks warm then 12 weeks cold stratification[, ]. Germination is usually poor, only about 1% of the seed is viable[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[].
Layering in spring. Do not sever from the parent plant for 2 years[].