THE TULIP TREE 377 



TULIP TREE. 

 Liriodendron tulipif era = The Tulip Tree. 



This tree, known variously as " Canary Wood," " Yellow 

 Poplar," and " White Wood," is native to Canada and the 

 United States of America. 



As to Seed. It flowers profusely in this country, but 

 home-grown seed is generally useless. 



One pound of seed contains about 10,000 seeds. 



Seed sown in spring will often take a year before it 

 appears ; hence autumn sowing is to be recommended, but 

 the seedlings must be protected with screens, etc. 



The timber is soft, and, when recently felled, is usually 

 a crimson red colour, but afterwards it becomes a greeny-white 

 colour. It is an easily worked wood, and is used by furniture- 

 and cabinet-makers. It is largely used for the " backing " or 

 " blind " wood upon which veneers are set. 



Soil and Situation. Deep soils, with plenty of moisture, 

 are essential. It will thrive on clay lands if not excessively 

 stiff. It avoids calcareous soils, and very dry soils. 



It is very tender as to late spring and early autumn 

 frosts, and hence many clay soils are too cold for its 

 growth. 



Southern aspects suit it best, if spring and autumn frosts 

 can be avoided. 



Cultivation, etc. It is a thinly foliaged, light-demanding 

 tree. It requires considerable summer warmth, in order to 

 ripen its wood before autumn frosts set in. 



It should be grown as standards over coppice, or as 

 standards in high forest with coppice ; for, under such 

 circumstances, the danger from late and early frosts is 

 minimised. 



It should, generally, be avoided in even-aged high forest, 

 as the risks are too great. 



The Tulip tree is rather slow-growing when young, and 

 makes a long tap-root ; it must therefore be transplanted 

 frequently, so long as it remains in the nursery. 



