Tulip Tree

The Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is the fast lane to a grand deciduous shade tree, reaching about 15m tall and 8m wide in Australian gardens. The squared, almost cat faced leaves turn a clean butter yellow in autumn, and mature trees carry curious tulip shaped flowers in green and yellow through late spring. For a large block in a cool or temperate district, few trees deliver this much presence this quickly.

Why you'll love it

• Genuinely fast for its class. Most trees this stately are slow. This one puts on height year after year, a real shade tree within a decade.
• Reliable autumn gold. The foliage colours dependably in cool districts, turning the whole canopy butter yellow before the leaves drop.
• Flowers like no other tree. Yellow green tulip shaped blooms with an orange flush appear once the tree has some age, tucked among the leaves for those who look.
• Summer shade, winter sun. Deciduous cover cools the house in summer, then lets the light through exactly when you want it.
• Copes with damp ground. It tolerates wet feet better than most large trees, so a moist low corner suits it.

Where it works best

Shade tree for large gardens. Give it an open position with room for an 8m spread, away from overhead wires. This is a tree you plant for the next fifty years, not a courtyard filler.

Feature planting. The straight trunk, tidy pyramidal youth and autumn colour make it a natural lawn specimen where the whole tree can be seen.

Driveways and avenues. Planted 8m to 10m apart, a run of tulip trees builds into a genuinely impressive avenue in cooler regions.

Growing Tulip Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun in cool temperate and warm temperate climates: Victoria, Tasmania, the tablelands, the hills and southern coasts. It is thoroughly frost hardy, but it is not suited to subtropical or tropical gardens, where the autumn display fades and growth suffers.

Soil. Deep, moist soil is where it excels. It accepts heavier ground and tolerates periods of wet, though it grows fastest with compost through the planting hole and reliable moisture.

Water and feed. Water deeply twice a week through the first two summers; dry spells during establishment are the main cause of failure. Feed in early spring while young.

Pruning. Rarely needed. Remove competing leaders early to keep a single straight trunk, and lift lower branches in winter if you need clearance.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell the Tulip Tree in 300mm and 400mm pots as young trees, and as advanced 100L and 200L specimens with genuine height and structure. If the tree lands in dormancy, bare branches are normal: it will leaf out with spring warmth.

Trees are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Plant into well prepared soil, stake loosely for the first season, and expect strong growth from the second spring. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The best canopy trees for creating shade
• Browse all deciduous trees
• More plants with autumn colour
• Fast growing shade trees compared
• Field-grown Tulip Tree in specimen sizes

Common questions

How fast does it actually grow?

In deep soil with water, expect around a metre a year through its youth, faster than almost any tree of comparable final quality. Growth slows as the tree matures.

Will it grow in Brisbane or further north?

It is not the right tree for the subtropics or tropics. It wants cold winters and moderate summers, so from around the northern rivers up, choose a climate matched shade tree instead.

When will I see the tulip flowers?

Flowers arrive once the tree has some maturity, often only after many years, and they sit high among the foliage. Buy it for form and autumn colour, and treat flowers as a bonus.

How much space does it need?

Allow for the full 15m by 8m: at least 6m from buildings and services, with clear sky above. Planting it too close to a house is the mistake you cannot prune your way out of.