Ask A Scientist© Botany Archive

name       Lisa
status     other
age        30s

Question - I have a Tulip Tree in my yard which I planted approximately
five years ago. It looks healthy and is growing great except
it has never had any of the "flowers" that my old tulip tree
got in the spring. Do you have any idea what the problem might
be with my tree? Is there anything I can do to get some of these
pretty flowers?
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possibly helpful:

http://willow.ncfes.umn.edu/silvics_manual/volume_2/liriodendron/tulipifera 
.htm
http://www.cayuga-cc.edu/braubitz/favtree.htm
http://www.gardenweb.com/forums/load/trees/msg0307243127185.html

Anthony R. Brach, Ph.D.
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Lisa,

I planted 3 of them 6 years ago. This spring was the first flowering for
the largest of the trees. I am hoping to see flowers on all of them
hopefully next spring. Bottom line is, assuming the tree is vigorous, you
should see flowers next or the following spring on your tree.

One note, the common name for Liriodendron tulipifera is appropriate. I had
never personally seen the flowers close-up, since I only ever saw them
displayed on large trees. It was nice to get a close-up view of the flowers
which really do resemble tulips.

Good luck, and thanks for using NEWTON!

Ric
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I have a number of forestry, forest ecology, and ornamentals reference
books but none say at what age a tulip tree would begin to flower. Some
hardwoods like oaks have to be pretty good size, maybe 10 or more years old to
flower, I suspect that perhaps your tree simply isn't old enough yet but I
can't say for sure.
J. Elliott 
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