Plant Encyclopedia

Other Names:  Tulip Magnolia, Yellow Poplar, Whitewood

Description:

A narrow columnar version of this very tall tree, features uniquely shaped leaves and large greenish-yellow tulip-shaped flowers with streaks of orange-gold; needs lots of moisture, a good choice for a narrower space

Ornamental Features

Arnold Tuliptree has chartreuse cup-shaped flowers with gold eyes held atop the branches from mid to late spring. It has emerald green deciduous foliage. The square leaves turn an outstanding gold in the fall. The furrowed gray bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

Arnold Tuliptree is a deciduous tree with a strong central leader and a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a high maintenance tree that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Insects
• Disease

Arnold Tuliptree is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Shade
• Vertical Accent

Planting & Growing

Arnold Tuliptree will grow to be about 60 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 5 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live to a ripe old age of 100 years or more; think of this as a heritage tree for future generations!

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided. This is a selection of a native North American species.