Yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
The common name of this tree is a tulip tree. It is not recommended to always use this term as it can be confused by the lay person as a Magnolia tree. Yellow Poplar seems to be the common name best used that gets people on the right track.
Tree diversity and planting in Iowa should start with anything other than a maple.
Too many neighborhoods are being built up with two maples in every front yard. Tree diversity is about proper selection and percentile limits which slow down the likelihood of a mass tree casualty event. Tulip Tree helps in this regard by being disease tolerant while providing shade which is required to offset urban heat island impacts.
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It is a water loving tree that grows relatively quick with a softer wood composition. It has an excurrent growth habit and only spreads after maturity. Establishment is rather easy provided one plants high and limits basal wounds which are common due to mechanical damage.
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At some point the tree may flower but don’t plan on this occurring early. The primary benefits are low maintenance and disease tolerance. Pruning cuts should be limited on this tree as its growth pattern does not demand head clearance or dead branch removal. Please see our latest posts on the change in trends in arboriculture and the changes to pruning that has been born out of scientific discovery.
Contact Arborist
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515-822-2414​