Liriodendron chinense
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- leer-ee-oh-DEN-dron chi-NEN-see
- Description
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Liriodendron chinense, commonly called Chinese tulip tree, is a fast-growing, columnar tree in the magnolia family that typically grows to 50-70’ tall. Once the tree matures, it will produce tulip-like flowers in late spring. This tree is sometime confused with its cousin, Liriodendron tulipifera, but is denser with smaller flowers and three-lobed leaves. L. tulipifera is a US native and more cold hardy.
Chinese Tulip Tree is best grown in moist, organically rich, well-drained loamy soil in full sun. However, it will tolerate part shade. It prefers acidic or neutral soils and the site should be lime free. The tree may not be reliably winter hardy in the northern parts of USDA Zone 6.
The Chinese Tulip Tree is useful as a arge shade or lawn tree for large landscapes and is sometimes grown as an ornamental. It is generally not recommended as a street tree. These trees are fast-growing and the wood can be weak, leading to breakage.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
Susceptible to honey fungus. Aphids, leaf miners, scale, mealybugs, and borers can sometimes be problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Liriodendron
- Species:
- chinense
- Family:
- Magnoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and Southern China to Viet Nam.
- Distribution:
- Grown in Britain, Ireland, Germany, and Canada.
- Wildlife Value:
- This is a larval host plant for Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) caterpillars which have two to three broods from May-September. The adult butterflies feed on decaying matter, aphid honeydew, and nectar from composite flowers.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Columnar
- Dense
- Pyramidal
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- Dry, scaly, oblong, cone-shaped, brown fruit clusters, each bearing numerous winged seeds, that disintegrate when ripe.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Cup-shaped flowers (to 1.5” long) are olive green with yellow at the base. Flowers begin blooming in May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Deeply lobed bright green leaves turn golden yellow in fall.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
