Indiana State Tree
Tulip Tree
Liriodendron tulipifera
Tulip Poplar
Liriodendron tulipifera
Family - Magnoliaceae -
Magnolia
The stately tulip poplar is so
called because of the tulip-like blossoms it sports in early spring.
Unfortunately, by the time the tree is large enough to begin blooming; it is so
tall that the attractive blossoms are too high for most people to enjoy.
The leaf is an easy one to
identify, as it is tulip shaped, thus lending another reason to name the tree
tulip tree, or tulip poplar. The leaves in autumn change to a lovely shade of
yellow, contrasting nicely with the gray, smooth bark.
The yellow poplar is one of
only two species of tulip poplars inhabiting the earth. North America ’s representative is native to the eastern
United
States Mississippi River except the extreme northeastern states of
Maine New Hampshire Vermont
Tulip poplar is a valuable
wildlife tree, as the seed is consumed by various birds, squirrels, mice and
rabbits. Rabbits and deer browse the twigs and foliage of young trees and
rabbits also sometimes eat the bark of young trees during the hard winter
season. The lumber is also a valuable resource, good for furniture,
interior woodworking and plywood.
The majestic yellow poplar, state
tree of Indiana
