The tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is also known in America by the name liriodendro, white wood, and yellow poplar. It is not actually a poplar but a tree belonging to the Magnoliaceae family. It is a fast-growing tree that can reach a height of over 12 meters in just a few decades. Generally these plants are born in the eastern belt of North America, but are also cultivated in Europe for decorative purposes. They have attractive tulip-shaped flowers (hence the scientific name) that are green, orange and white in color.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Choose a Point for your Liriodendro
Step 1. Look for a spot where the soil is moist but well drained
Clayey, loamy and sandy soils that are moist but well drained are good for Liriodendro. Their preference is for acidic or neutral soils (pH 7, 5-6, 1). They can live in zones 4 to 9. Avoid planting your tree in dry soil with little substrate.
Liriodendro generally does not thrive in clayey soils with little substrate and tends not to tolerate drought. However, there are some varieties of this tree native to Florida that tolerate drought more than their other relatives elsewhere
Step 2. Avoid excess heat and persistent puddles
Avoid planting your tree in a hot, dry part of your yard or in a swampy area where puddles persist after rains. Liriodendro will do best in rich, deep, moist and well-drained soil. It prefers sunny locations but tolerates partial shade for part of the day.
Step 3. Consider planting the tree in a suitable plot
Although the Liriodendro is a well-shaped and attractive tree, it is too large for many gardens and has other disadvantages such as dropping sap everywhere and being vulnerable to wind.
However, it does not tolerate full shade, and if you want shade it is a good choice to provide it to other plants, if you decide to plant the tree in your garden. Of course, you need to plant shade-loving plants around the tree
Step 4. Keep in mind the sap and pollen
You should evaluate if there are people allergic to pollen. The tree has a notorious habit of dropping sap. This is annoying, especially if you have parked your freshly washed car under the tree. The sap can also be carried away by the wind.
If you plant the tree in your yard, make sure it is away from the driveway so that the sap doesn't end up on your car
Method 2 of 4: Plant Your Tree Starting with a Sapling
Step 1. Prepare the ground in time
When planting any type of sapling, it is always best to prepare the soil in time. Incorporate mature compost or manure where you will plant the Liriodendro. To do this:
Add a layer of compost and then mix it with a rake into the soil that is already there. This will give the soil an additional nutrient boost
Step 2. Plant your tree immediately after purchasing the sapling
Saplings are provided as bare rooted plants or as potted plants. If you are using a bare root plant try to plant it immediately after purchase, as it will not be able to survive for a long period of time if left with the root exposed.
Step 3. Prepare the sapling for planting
Remove the ropes or packing materials that came with your sapling. Wet the roots before planting. To do this:
Put the sapling in a bucket of water (ideally rainwater) for a few hours; do not soak overnight. Avoid removing roots or damaging them
Step 4. Dig the hole
Dig a hole as deep as the roots of the tree and twice the width of the roots. If your plant was provided in a pot, the soil level in which you plant your tree should match that of the soil in the pot.
If the plant was provided bare-rooted, check the trunk of the plant to see where the soil level was previously
Step 5. Free the roots
If the roots are clumped, try to separate them a little, untangling them gently as much as possible. If you are using a potted sapling, try to keep as much of the original soil as possible, as this helps preserve the roots.
Step 6. Plant your tree
Put your sapling in the hole you dug. Fill with soil around the sapling. To avoid air pockets, pat the soil well, then water the sapling thoroughly.
However, avoid hard stepping on the soil surface as this can damage the roots
Step 7. Add mulch to the area
Apply a 4-inch (4-inch) compost mulch consisting of mature leaves or manure to the surface of the soil. Make sure the mulch covers the entire area under the sapling. This will help protect the roots, prevent weeds from growing and retain soil moisture.
Method 3 of 4: Plant the Lyriodendron from the Cuttings
Step 1. Take a cutting from a healthy tree
Liriodendro can be grown from seeds or cuttings. Cultivation from seeds is described in the next section. To take a cutting:
Cut about 45 centimeters of recent growth (less than 2 years) from a healthy-looking Lyriodendron tree
Step 2. Remove any leaves or flowers
Together with the leaves and flowers, you should also remove about five centimeters of bark from the lower end, using a sharp knife. Dip the peeled end of the bark in rooting hormone, then plant the cutting so that about half of it is under the compost in the pot you decided to start it in.
You should plant it in a compost mix suitable for cuttings
Step 3. Keep the cutting somewhere with plenty of light, but not in direct sunlight
One way to do this is to enclose the jar in a transparent plastic bag, removed every few days to avoid the accumulation of moisture. After a few months the cutting should form roots. If the rooting was successful, it should withstand a slight tug with the hand.
Step 4. Move your cutting outside
After several months you can try planting the cutting outside in a semi-shaded area (not in full midday sun).
Once the cutting has stabilized and is a little more resilient, you can move it to the spot you want in your yard or garden
Method 4 of 4: Plant the Liriodendro Starting from the Seeds
Step 1. Consider planting the Liriodendro starting from the seeds
If you decide to plant from seeds, wait until October when the seeds are ripe. Let them dry for a couple of days on a plate or tray in your home. After they are dry, soak them overnight in warm water.
If you delay planting until spring, keep the seeds refrigerated over the winter in a plastic bag along with a slightly moistened mix of sand and peat
Step 2. Scrape the seeds
After you have dried them and then soaked them, you will need to scrape the outer coating of the seeds to help them germinate. To do this:
- You can use sandpaper or a metal sponge to scrape the exterior coating.
- You can also use a sharp knife to make a notch in the seed.
Step 3. Plant the seed
The seed should be planted about 0.6 cm deep in an area of your garden that is not exposed to full midday sun. Keep watering the seed until it has settled, but keep the soil from getting too wet.
Step 4. Take care of your tree once it is established
The Liriodendro does not require pruning. Young trees can be the focus of attention from rabbits and deer, so consider protecting young plants for the first few years if the presence of these or similar animals is a problem in your area.
- Young trees should be watered during dry periods until they are well established: usually for the first 3-4 years of their life.
- If your tree sheds its leaves early, this is a sign of drought.
Advice
- As a fast-growing variety, this tree can reach its near-maximum height in just a couple of decades.
- These trees will bloom in late spring and early summer.
- These trees are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in the fall.
- Some people complain that they never see flowers because they are not always visible from the ground in adult specimens.
- These trees are somewhat more vulnerable to wind damage than other trees. This can mean that the higher branches can be damaged or uprooted in times of high wind.
