The Magnolias and the Tulip Trees 99 



Farther south, when growing under favourable conditions, it sometimes be- 

 comes a large tree, 80 to 90 ft. high and 2 to 3 ft. in diameter. Ordinarily, however, 

 it is much smaller. In the United States its wood is sometimes used for interior 

 finish. 



When not crowded the shape of the tree is conical with a v/ide base. The 

 bark of the trunk is roughened by flaky ridges of greyish-brown colour. 



The twigs are slender, bro^vn, shiny, smooth, and aromatic. The winter buds 

 are very blunt and covered with silky hair. The end bud of the twig is several 

 times larger than those along the side. 



The leaves are 6 to 10 in. long and 4 to 6 in. broad. In outline they are a 

 pointed oval. They are thin, smooth on top, and slightly downy beneath. They 

 are widely distributed along the branch, not clustered towards the end. They 

 are numerous and produce a heavy shade. 



The flowers are about 3 in. wide, yellowish-green, bell-shaped, composed of 

 six petals, and stand upright on the ends of the twigs. 



The fruit is usually oblong and curved, and, when green, resembles a cucumber 

 in appearance. When ripe it is dark red in colour and the various sacs or pockets 

 open, releasing the flattened, orange-red seed each contains. The seeds hang sus- 

 pended by fine white threads. 



THE TULIP TREES 



Onl)^ two species of tulip tree (Liriodendron) are recognized. One is a small 

 tree or shrub in China and the other is our native one, which in the United States 

 is an important timber tree and which would be so in Canada but for its scarce- 

 ness. The tulip trees were much more widely distributed at one time, for fossil 

 remains of them are found both on this continent and in Europe. 



LIRIODENDRON TULIPIFERA, Linn. TULIP TREE 



Common names: Tulip tree, yellow poplar*, whitewood*. 

 French name: Tulipier. 



The tulip tree has a ve^y limited range in Canada, being found growing 

 naturally only in the southern peninsula of Ontario, from Niagara westward to the 

 Detroit river. 



It is a tall, stately tree 50 to 70 ft. in height and with a trunk diameter of 

 2 ft. or over, sometimes reaching the immense height of 175 ft. The branches are 

 comparatively short; those near the top usually ascending, and those near the 

 bottom declining, make a very open, irregular crown. 



The bark of the trunk is thick, brown, closely furrowed, and has the tight- 

 fitting appearance of the white ash bark. The inner bark is bitter. 



The twigs are slender, reddish-brown, and smooth. They have an exceedingly 

 bitter taste but a rather pleasant aromatic smell. The winter buds are long and 



22510 7J 



