Tree Talk: Tulip-poplar

[@getintothewildwithjeffruma8777]

My grandparents had a small farm in eastern Tennessee and my grandmother taught me about these trees since they had several large ones but she called them Tennessee tulip trees. She told me that back in the day a lot of barns were built with their wood because it lasted so long and log cabins too because the trunks are so straight. I pulled a seedlings out of the ground in their woods back in 2005 and planted it in the backyard of a house I own in Kansas and it has grown into a nice looking tree over the years. Now that my grandparents are gone the tree means even more to me.

[@boomer3150]

Tuliptree is the preferred name. They are not actually poplars (Populus spp.)

[@Applejack1396]

I’ve grown up with these trees in the mountains of North Carolina. And apparently knew very little about them. Thanks for the in-depth look!

[@MsAnnbrown]

So cool! I always loved this tree but never realized it was a magnolia!

[@alankovacik1928]

me neither 🤔🤔

[@jsting1052]

I live in Lancaster county and my poplars are at least 80 feet plus and I love them!

[@hyzercreek]

Call them tuliptrees. They are not poplars

[@hiromikami]

I know of only one place in Florida where this grows. I've found 3 trees in that area, and they bloom in mid to late April. We love your videos, and thank you for giving this tree your treatment. Very comprehensive.

[@dianaprescott1102]

Alabama has em

[@Chadpigkiller]

Spring hammock preserve in Seminole county has the largest stand of them in Florida I think

[@АртёмРоманенков-н3у]

It grows and blooms in Moscow. I also have a village near the border with Belarus, only I don't have a flower, it's about 10 years old.

[@Bsdel]

I love this series. I’m an untrained tree lover and I intend on watching these videos on repeat over the next several weeks 😂 Tulip trees are amazing. There are several large ones growing around the Virginia state capitol in Richmond, and they’re all over the place out in the Charlottesville area. It amazes me how straight their trunks are and the way that the branches near the top seem to jut out before bending up toward the sky. Such a unique and beautiful tree

[@joeesposito5101]

My favorite tree. We have some majestic groves of them on the north shore of Long Island NY. Just awe inspiring to be beneath one. Thanks for a great video

[@reuniteireland]

Really enjoyable video. Looking to plant 4 of these in my yard in Michigan.

[@EL-ns1yp]

We have Tulip trees here in Seattle that are over 100 feet tall. Many were planted in Capitol Hill area of Seattle. The ones near St Joe's were planted 20 years ago, and are already getting big.

[@markjones5561]

This tree seems immune from deer browsing. We loose so many oak seedlings from deer, but this Tulip-polar just goes nuts! :) Must have multiple thousands of these on the 35 acres we look after.

[@RBnPA]

Very good video! Lots of really good information! I especially like when you said they were “self-pruning”! I probably have 12-15 on my 1.5 acre yard in PA on the Mason Dixon line and they definitely shed dead limbs from small to decent size during moderate wind events! Thanks for the awesome video!

[@jifigz]

I'm loving these tree talks. Thanks for doing them.

[@forestsforthebay4784]

Thanks for watching them!

[@noname-rv7yh]

I have a bunch of these on my property. That first leaf was enormous!

[@huskylover1013]

There was a short-lived effort to rename them as " Tulip Magnolia" as a common name. Got nowhere, but with tree-nerds like me.

[@hyzercreek]

Tuliptree is fine. I call them nothing else.

[@karlsenula9495]

We have six of these in our yard in Maryland ... all over 100ft tall.

[@maryjoprzybylowski9357]

Thank you so much for this informative video! I was not sure if my trees were tulip poplars, but you gave me all of the traits to look for and I was able to confirm that they are tulip poplars.

[@st0nedmas0n70]

Wow, I was just looking for a little bit of information about this tree. That was extremely informative! Thanks for the video.

[@MsAnnbrown]

I understand that they were used historically in Maryland for masts for schooners.

[@karlsenula9495]

I live in Maryland, and have BIG tulip poplars, so this was a fun bit of info. When neighbors have these cut down (often because they are afraid because they are so tall) there are regularly cranes and lumber trucks used for the wood.

[@GabrielGonzalez-vw5ir]

The wink 😂. Thanks for the great content!

[@numinut]

Thanks you answer so many questions with this Tree Talk Series

[@donnaeastridge5579]

Thank you, I was wondering what kind of tree has those yellow flowers because I have quite a few on my property. Flowers are very pretty.

[@daviddifranco9117]

Just a corrective note: The name 'Tulip Tree' is not derived from its leaf, but from its flower. The flower resembles a tulip flower.

[@hyzercreek]

So does the leaf.

[@blakespower]

these trees grow very fast in wet areas not flooded areas but close to streams or freshwater sources, I think because they used to be the beavers favorite tree before we killed all the beavers

[@alankovacik1928]

great video, as always

[@theresemalmberg955]

Absolutely my favorite tree! Had one in my yard growing up.

[@wingking077]

Good info, very tall giants. Now I will think of cardboard boxes when I see them.

[@delia5588]

Thank you for this. I am in Northern NJ (Morris County) and a couple years ago moved to my home. I learned that this gorgeous tree on my property is a Tulip Tree. I’m suspecting it might have some termite damage going on. Hoping to find an arborist and that this tree will be ok!

[@DebbyTucker-s6c]

The leaf you used is found on young tulips in our area next to Smokey Mountains National Park. However, the mature tree tulip leaf here looks very different from your example and looks somewhat similar to a red maple leaf. Also, the National Park guide to trees in the Park shows the tulip leaf very different from the example you used. See "Trees and Forests" brochure published by the Park.

[@MightyFineMan]

Finally a video that mentions timeframe of seed viability. This video is a goldmine of information. But one question below: If the seeds are stored in a dry, but room temperature place for months to even a year, could they still be viable under those conditions? I have hundreds of these seeds but only recently learned how to properly stratify seeds. I just don’t know if they will stratify properly after being indoors for so long.

[@forestsforthebay4784]

I am not an expert in germinating trees from seed, so these recommendations are just a guess. I'd try storing them in a refrigerator with a tiny bit of moisture rather than at room temperature. This prevents them from drying out but also simulates natural stratification. You may lose some viability if they're in the fridge for too long, but I imagine you would lose more if at room temperature. You can also split your seeds into 2 groups and try both approaches to see what works best! Good luck and happy planting!

[@MightyFineMan]

@@forestsforthebay4784 oh yes I know how to stratify seeds with the method you mentioned. I use my local compost (my supply is slightly acidic) and put the seeds and some compost in a sealed plastic bag in a refrigerator with a few milliliters of water. All similar to what you described. I meant I had some tulip tree seeds laying around indoors for months I haven’t gotten to trying to stratify yet, and was wondering if I started trying to cold stratify those seeds now, would they still be viable. I was unsure of the timeframe of how long is too long (after being exposed to dry indoor air) until they aren’t viable anymore. I’ll try it regardless with those indoor seeds and some fresh ones from outside. I appreciate your reply!

[@forestsforthebay4784]

@@MightyFineMan Ah, I see! Yeah, give it a shot and let us know how it goes!!

[@laneherrlinger7478]

Thanks so much buddy! Great video love the teachings

[@leel1130]

Also used to make the marching field drums for the civil war.

[@tonymassara4018]

Great video! Your cinematography and graphics have really come a long way. Keep it up. Thanks!

[@jseadog1394]

So I have one in my front yard about 15 to 20 years in age approximately. At what stage in it's life should I expect to see flowering?

[@forestsforthebay4784]

That's great! It should start blooming pretty soon; they usually start around that age.

[@surroundedbyjaggoffs]

I have some huge poplar on my property too , they are perfectly straight up to the top of the canopy!!!!

[@onetuliptree]

Thank you!

[@hanzifaction]

Great tips!

[@blakespower]

these trees were planted all over California also as city and town trees so they are naturalized there. I often wonder if you grew them in a redwood forest would they reach similar heights as the redwood, of course if there was a sunny opening for them to grow, because east of the Mississippi they have more violent weather like tornadoes thunderstorms and hurricanes and tropical storms that knock over or break the tops off

[@gordonneverdies]

I have one in my yard in NJ and have been trying to figure out what it is. Mine is very light grey with a bunch of holes from mites or something. Very cool tree.

[@DANVIIL]

Very interesting!

[@richardbritton5280]

Interesting ty 😊 🏆🏆🙏🙏👴

[@JeffGillis-lv1rz]

Fascinating, is it a tone wood used for musical instruments?

[@forestsforthebay4784]

Though I don't have any personal experience on that I believe so! I've read that it is used for musical instruments, and someone here commented a while ago that it was used for drums during the Civil War.

[@nightgown]

💚💚💚💚💚

[@JMSMOPAR]

Hi Ryan - love your videos. I have a question regarding this tree. My tree books always seem to say that Cucumber Magnolia is the largest magnolia tree. Wouldn't Tulip tree actually be larger?

[@forestsforthebay4784]

That's interesting! Cucumber magnolias are canopy trees for sure, but I've never seen one even get close to a moderately large tulip-poplar. My guess is that the book is defining magnolias more narrowly, likely as species in the genus "Magnolia". Which is correct! I just like to share that tulip-poplars are in the magnolia family because they have so much shared physiology while also being very different from the trees we usually think of as magnolias. Glad you like the videos! :)

[@JMSMOPAR]

@@forestsforthebay4784 Thanks so much for clarifying that for me Ryan. That makes sense as when I read some of these tree books it does seem like some of them do not put Tulip Tree in the Magnolia family.

[@danijelaskopljak5496]

Hi, thank you for the video super informative. I have a this beautiful tree in my backyard but the wind Broke a few branches and I was wondering if you could tell me when I can cut them (Spring, or fall) I am afraid I will damage it

[@brendaproctor2754]

I have this tree in my front yard. I have lived here 8 years, and this is the 1st time the tree is weeping sap, standing underneath it feels like misting. Is my tee ok or is there something going on?

[@MrCuckoobox]

Thanks for Sharing. I dislike this tree, because it not "Residential Friendly". It is a tall, fast growing tree; it is not suited for most neighborhoods, especially where lots are less than a half acre. The "Self Pruning" is really limbs breaking off and becoming spears which can be dangerous...... I have a neighbor that has had his roof punctured 5 times from Tulip-Poplar Limb "Spears" and one time it not only puncture the roof but the sheetrock of his ceiling....Our neighbor behind me, Tulip-Poplar Tree snapped off at the trunk and fell in our yard, lucky it was only about 45ft tall during a small storm. Had it been their other Tulip-Poplar which is over 90ft tall, it would have hit our house. These trees tend to grow too fast and tall for how soft the wood is. I appreciate them in parks, farms, mountains, forest etc and their "Agricultural Value" for wood products, but this is NOT a "Residential/Urban Tree".

[@JohnSuchman]

Had to cut a 75 footer down from behind my house for this very reason. Every year I had large branches fall on my roof. Love the tree otherwise though!

[@jonalohr]

Any chance of doing some trees from the Rockies?

[@hyzercreek]

You should call them Tuliptrees so you don't have to explain every time that it's not a poplar. I really HATE when people call this tree a freaking poplar. Words have meaning.

[@hyzercreek]

It's like when people find a wasp nest and call them bees. It makes my blood boil. Only the most ignorant people think wasps are bees. It makes me cringe, just like people saying poplar for tuliptrees.

[@myadventures22]

I have one the popped up beside my house should I move it

[@satra270]

So I guess this is out of the question for a house that sit on a acre lot. :(

[@forestsforthebay4784]

I wouldn't say that; they can be great yard trees! It would just be best for the tree to be a bit further from the house, maybe 50-100 feet, due to its size.

[@Run4Ever77]

It could be fine. We had a 2-acre lot and a large tulip tree on it, and it could easily have been fine on a lot half the size.

[@blakespower]

I thought it was called a tuliptree because its flowers look like tulips

[@hyzercreek]

It was

[@seanwebster3816]

6:00 ;-)

[@rmee5165]

I have one in my yard that needs to go but city has strict cutting laws...how can I kill this type of tree...14" diameter.

[@pamsmith7369]

Tulip Populars are terrible yard trees! Neighbor had one (come up from seed, I’m sure) in the fence line. The third year it set these huge catkins that went everywhere! Clogged up my new garage gutter and downspout and rotted in there! It was horrible to clean out! Wet, rotten catkins that smelled like manure! The most unpleasant chore! That tree had to go! The arborist said it would have been over 100’ tall in five years and over my house roof! Fast growing is an understatement! No thanks! Out it went!

[@hyzercreek]

Tuliptrees don't have catkins. Poplars have catkins. Poplars are unrelated to tuliptrees which is why I HATE it when people think that tuliptrees are poplars. The catkins you're talkiing about come from quaking aspens, bigtooth aspens, white poplar, lombardy poplar, or cottonwood. TULIPTREES ARE NOT POPLAR AND HAVE NO CATKINS

[@hyzercreek]

Catkins are the flower of poplar trees. Tuliptrees have flowers that look exactly like tulips. AAAGGGGHHHH!!!

[@davidfriedt6592]

100 feet tall in 5 years...right 😂

[@boinknook]

OMG my 6 piece drumset is made out of this tree! The boxes were so heavy even though poplar is a lightweight wood. Most mid drumsets these days are made from poplar. Just because poplar is a cheap wood, doesn't mean that it's sound is cheap. Some drums are even made out of acrylic! The kit sounds so good that it's hard to distinguish it from oak. Guitar bodies are made from these trees too.