Liriodendron tulipifera
Copyright, Mark Brand, UConn Plant Database
Liriodendron tulipifera
Copyright, Mark Brand, UConn Plant Database
Yellow Poplars are one of Virginia's tallest trees, growing up to 120 feet tall. They have a long, straight trunk, large flowers, and leaves that make it easy to identify.
Yellow Poplar leaves are shaped like a tulip blossom. Some people even call this tree a "tulip-tree." Leaves are usually three to six inches long, with four lobes. They are dark or shiny green above, and pale green underneath.
Copyright, Mark Brand, UConn Plant Database
The flowers of this tree can be two inches long. They are yellow and orange with a cup shape.
Fruits
are cone-shaped, about three inches long. They release winged seeds
that are eaten by many animals, including: Eastern Cottontails,
Eastern Gray Squirrels, Beaver, mice, Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals,
American Goldfinch, Purple Finches, and
chickadees.
Copyright, University of
Tennesee, Knoxville Copyright, Mark Brand,
UConn Plant Database
Yellow Poplar bark is dark gray, and it becomes thick and furrowed as it gets older.
The trunk of this tree can reach three feet across.
This tree is found with other hardwood trees, such as oaks, American Beech, maples, Black Cherry, Eastern White Pine, and hickories.
Hummingbirds, Honey Bees, Bumble Bees, Tiger Swallowtails and other insects help pollinate this tree when they visit flowers.
Oregon State University, Department of Horticulture
Oregon State University, Department of Horticulture
This tree has many types of fungi which grow from its roots, and help the tree; and it is home to many creatures, such as woodpeckers and squirrels.
Because these trees are so large and leafy, they provide cover for deer, small mammals, and birds.
Gypsy Moths, a pest for other large trees, do not bother Yellow Poplars. These moths actually help this tree by eating away at other trees which would compete for water and light. Yellow Poplars cannot tolerate shade.
The leaves of Yellow Poplar do turn yellow in the Fall.
Relationships in Nature:
Animals
Using as Food Source Animals
Using as Shelter Associations
With Other Plants Southern Red Oak Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Relationship to Humans:
Yellow Poplar is used by people for lumber, plywood, pulp (to make paper), shingles, cabinets, furniture, crates, toys, and musical instruments. It is not a good firewood, but twigs make decent kindling.
This tree is extremely important for the wildlife it supports, as a food source, nesting site, and cover.