Tulip Tree

Liriodendron tulipifera

Magnoliaceae

Tree 30-40 m tall with blackish cracked bark. Twigs are often frosted, buds with 2 scales, at the cross-section flat, elongated, duck-billed (so-called "duck beak). Leaf blade is lyrate, with 4 sharp lobes. Blooms in May to July after the foliage. Flowers tulip-shaped, greenish-yellow. Aggregate fruit cone-likecone-like, disintegrating, formed by double samaras. Shoots: Shoots are shiny brown or grey, often shortly hairy; with ringlets. Natural range: SE part of North America; in our area introduced.

Buds

Buds have 2 scales. They are plain on the cross-section, oblong, beck-shaped (duck beak). The axillary buds get are located between 2 stipules.

Leaves

Leaves are simple. The lamina is up to 15 cm long, rather wider than long, lyriform with 4 pointed lobes. At the basis it is almost truncated, often shortly wedgewise tapered at the petiole. The leaf margin is entire. The face is glossy and shiny, the underside is dull, grayish.