Liriodendron tulipifera

Liriodendron tulipifera (the American tulip tree) is a highly ornamental tree suitable for planting along a greenbelt or in a park. When young, the tree grows in a narrow, upright form, but later develops a distinctly wider, conical crown. Its most striking ornamental feature is likely its distinctive tulip-shaped leaves. In the fall, the leaves turn a beautiful golden yellow.

You can already see the trees’ inflorescences; the first flowers are already blooming. The blooming season is in May or June, depending on the weather. It often takes some effort to make out the yellow, tulip-shaped flowers on the tree.

One of the oldest tulip trees in the Netherlands stands in the palace gardens of’t Loo in Apeldoorn; it was planted in 1806 and has since reached a trunk circumference of 5.80 meters. Behind De Berckt Castle in Baarlo stand several magnificent, historic specimens. These trees are located on the banks of the Meuse River, where they thrive beautifully. A photo of them is attached.

Liriodendron tulipifera is native to the eastern states of the United States.
The scientific genus name Liriodendron is derived from the Greek words *lirion* and *dendron*, which mean ‘lily’ and “tree,” respectively. The species name *tulipifera* means “tulip-bearing.” A widely cultivated cultivar is the columnar Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Fastigiatum’.

Location of photos: Haaren, Oisterwijk, Baarlo, and our nursery