For taller options and non-tree planting schemes Contact us stating species, height/girth and delivery postcode.
Mature Liriodendron TulipiferaTulip Tree Options Explained
100+cm: 3-7 pot, 100-125cm tall at delivery, 1-2 years old.
125cm+ : Usually comes in a 5-10 litre pot and is 125-150 cm tall at delivery.
150cm+ : Usually comes in a 7-12 litre pot and is 150-200 cm tall at delivery.
180-240cm: Usually comes in a 12-18L pot and is 18-240cm tall at delivery
Girth 8-10cm: Standard,25-30L pot, *Roughly 240-300cm tall.
Girth 10-12cm: Standard,30-35L pot, *Roughly 300-360cm tall.
Girth 12-14cm: Standard,70L pot, *Roughly 360-420cm tall.
Girth 14-16cm: Standard,70-90L pot, *Roughly 420-480cm tall.
Girth 16-18cm: Standard,25-30L pot, *Roughly 480-500cm tall.
Girth 18-20cm: Standard,30-35L pot, *Roughly 500-520cm tall.
Girth 20-25cm: Standard,70L pot, *Roughly 520-550cm tall.
200+cm: Feathered tree, 30-35L container.
250+cm: Feathered tree, 35-50L container.
300+cm: Feathered tree, 50-70L container.
*Heights are given as a very rough guideline and can have considerable variation based on species and supplier (each nursery experiences different growing conditions) It may even have been pruned before being sent out so we can only guarantee girth. Trees over 5.5m may include a delivery surcharge based on location and species but we will confirm with you before progressing the order.
Once a mature Liriodendron Tulipifera tree is around 200cm/4 years old then girth is the best measure of value for money. For every girth measurement increment e.g. 6-8cm to 8-10cm, the canopy will be wider, stronger, bushier and the root system larger as it has experienced 12-18 months growth. You can notice larger root systems with potted versions because the pot size increases with maturity. As a very general rule, each one cm girth measurement represents around 30cm growth but this doesn't apply to slow-growing trees.
Multistem means several stems starting very low to the ground. Comparing these with the same age Standard and Half Standard, these are typically shorter as growing several stems takes more effort than one stem and the girth measuring system does not apply.
Standard and Half Standard means lollipop shape. Industry definitions (which are not universal) mean Half Standard have around 80-150cm clear stem and Standard 180cm or more. Half Standards will usually be quite smaller than their standard equivalent girth size.
Feathered means it has an obvious single stem with side branching for most of it.
Liriodendron Tulipifera Tulip Tree
The Tulip Tree Liriodendron Tulipifera is quite an outstanding tree and not one you can miss at maturity. Easily reaching over 30m, you will need a large garden or park to accommodate. It has received the RHS Award Of Garden Merit for many outstanding attributes not because it used its size and weight to bully them into it.
As with many Tulip trees, it tolerates urban pollution and is well suited for parks and large ornamental town gardens. Its conical shape also lends itself well to ornamental settings.
Although the Tulip Tree is native to America, it still grows well and fast in Britain. This tree carries distinctive dark green leaves, in the shape of a tulip, hence its name. Autumn sees its foliage turning a stunning bright gold colour and the flowers will make a grand appearance in July.
Tulip Tree Soil And Planting
For best results plant in a full sun position with well-draining soil as the Tulip tree really does not like to have its feet wet for any length of time. Although chalk tolerant best results will be had if planting in more acidic soil.
Pruning Tulip Trees (Liriodendron Tulipifera)
Reasonably maintenance-free in pruning terms although an occasional thinning will promote new growth. Definitely cut out and diseased, dead or crossing branches to maintain the health of the tree.
Message card included at no additional cost if required. Just add the information required on the card at checkout.
See What Our Customers Are Saying About Our Liriodendron Tulipifera Tulip Tree
I can only say that our new Tulip tree has bought nothing but joy into our lives. From the moment it arrived I knew we had a special bond that would never break, it was so healthy and clearly came from a happy family. We put it straight into our nursery bed before taking it to its new home in France. You can imagine the tears we cried when it was time to leave but we are so looking forward to our time together in 2020. As it will grow so quickly we took this picture so that we can always remember it as a young sapling Steve C. 1119
Tree Jargon Explained
Half Standard: Around 80-100cm clear stem.
Standard: Around 180-200cm clear stem.
Feathered: Branches for most of the trunk/stem length.
Multi-Stem/Bush: Very little or no clear stem. Multiple branching starting low to the ground.
Rootball: Dug from the field with roots intact i.e. no pot.
Pot: Plastic container that the tree was grown in.
Maiden: 1 year tree that has not been pruned.
Pleached: Foliage a square/rectangle flat shape wired to a bamboo frame with some clear stem.
Screen: Same as pleached but much less/no clear stem.
Multiple Order Discount
Orders over £750 for 150cm+ trees might be discounted by ​​​​​​​contacting us
Ornamental Tree Roots In The Shade e.g. Behind A Fence
It is more important that that foliage (posh term for leaves) receives the sunlight than the roots. So if the canopy of your ornamental tree can sunbathe but the bottom of your tree thinks there has been a nuclear winter then that is ok. You might want to ensure you have good drainage as water and no sun is the start of algae and other such issues.
Early Autumn Leaf Fall
Heat stress, being potted, lack of water, being boxed up for a few days etc can cause early Autumn leaf fall. Once planted, normal service will resume next season.
Do I Need To Stake My Ornamental Tree?
9 out of 10 times the answer will be no, especially if under 200cm tall. However our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Climate Change
Climate Change has increased aesthetic foliage issues such as Powdery Mildew, Shothole, Rust, frost damage etc These are not terminal issues and will usually last a season or less. All trees are inspected before being sent out to ensure they are fundamentally healthy and will bounce back.
Planting In The Corner Of A Garden
Air and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. If the corner is of the house and a fence then you also have leeching issues to contend with from cement and wood preservatives. Also when it rains, that area would experience higher water levels so we advise against it unless the plant is very hardy.
Mature Tree Warranty
Once a tree is over 3 years old, the failure rate is considerably less and our Tree Warranty does not cover it at 100%. Please check details.
General Tulip Tree Information
This section used to be Brigadier Tulip Information but since being upgraded, we now call it General Tuplip Tree Information!
Tulip trees are long lived (up to 300 years), very ornamental and will tolerate urban pollution well making them very suitable for parks and urban planting. Tulip trees with an upright shape are suitable for roadside planting. Usually a medium to large tree meaning they will grow to around 6m at 10 years. They could go on to grow much more but this is dependant upon local weather and soil conditions. Heights of over 50m have been recorded.
Most Tulip trees prefer a well draining site, will tolerate chalk but prefer acidic soil.
For those really into Tulip trees, you maybe interested to know that they are part of the Magnolia family. We are not sure if it was adopted or if there was some sordid affair between a Tulip and Magnolia many years ago. The flowers are a rich source of nectar and will attract bees to your garden. Any fruits produced will last long into the winter.
A hardwood tree with many uses because of its height and long length of clear trunk. The wood is light, straight grained, resists splitting and was the "tree of choice" for Native Americans to make canoes.
Useful as a shade tree because of its size and dense canopy. Younger Tulip trees can be fast growing reaching 30-100cm growth a year.
