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General Description
Liriodendron tulipifera, commonly known as the American Tulip Tree or Tulip Poplar is native to eastern North America and can be found all the way from southern Ontario to central Florida and Louisiana. It can grow to be more than 50 m in height when found in forests of the Appalachian Mountains. This tree is a very valuable timber tree because often it will grow up to 25-30 m with no additional limbs. It is a fast-growing tree but does not possess the typical downfall characteristics of others in that species.It is not a weak wood and does not have the short lifespan often seen in fast-growing species.The flowering period for most of the southern United States begins in April. Those trees towards the northen end begin to flower in June. The flowers are pale green or yellow,with a small exception for white, with an orange band on the tepals. Thes flowers have been known to yield large quantities of nectar. The American Tulip Tree is the state tree of Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Most American Tulip Trees, especially the younger ones, are intolerant of prolonged sumbersion in water.There has been an ecotype noticed in the southeastern United States which is relatively flood-tolerant. This ecotype is recognized by its blunt-lobed leaves, which may have a red tint. Botanists in sections of east-central Florida near Orlando have spotted an ecotype with similar-looking leaves but which flowers much earlier than the traditional plants. This ecotype seems to have the best ability to tolerate very wet conditions. It grows short pencil-like root structures similar to those produced by other swamp trees in warm climates. Some American Tulip Trees have been known to retain their leaves all year unless struck by a hard frost.
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Uses
This species is a major honey plant in the eastern United States. It produces a dark reddish, fairly strong honey. The soft, fine-grained wood of the Tulip Trees is misleadingly known as "poplar" in the U.S., but is sold abroad as "American Tulipwood". It is very widely used when a cheap, easy-to-work and stable wood is needed.
The sapwood is usually a creamy off-white color. The heartwood is typically a pale green but can take on streaks of red, purple, or even black depending on what the soil conditions the tree was grown in.
It is the wood of choice for use in organs, due to its ability to take a fine, smooth, precisely-cut finish and effectively seal against pipes and valves. It is also commonly used for siding clapboards. The wood of the American Tulip Tree may be compared in texture, strength, and softness to that of white pine. Other uses for this wood can be interior finish of houses, siding, panels of carriages, coffin boxes, pattern timber, and wooden ware.
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