• The yellow poplar tulipmagnolia image by corinne matusiak from Fotolia.com
  
  Tulip tree is the common name for several trees that bear tulip-shaped flowers. The majority of these trees come from the magnolia family. Most are rather tall and the flowers tend to be large. Because of their size, they make excellent shade trees. The flowers make them attractive ornamental trees but the size of some species limits their use in the home landscape. They are suited to wide open spaces in parks, forests or large estates.
  
  

Yellow Poplar Tulip

• The yellow poplar tree is commonly referred to as the tulip tree. Its yellowish, tulip-shaped flowers are 2 inches across. The flowers bloom in the late spring to early summer on trees 15 to 20 years old or older. The yellow poplar is a large, deciduous tree reaching 80 to 100 feet in height. Its scientific name is Magnoliaceae Liriodendron tulipifera L. It is a hardwood tree and also considered a honey tree. In the proper conditions, it can live to 300 years of age. The tree is common to the eastern and southeastern parts of the United States and up through Ontario, Canada.
  
  

African Tulip Tree

• Spathodea campanulata, or the African tulip tree, is a large shade tree. It grows up to 60 feet tall and spreads to a dense crown of 40 feet. The African tulip tree should be planted in a protected area with plenty of room. It is not tolerant of high winds or frost. The flowers of the African tulip tree begin to bud in late winter and continue through late spring. Buds are 2 inches long, brown in color and fuzzy. When closed they are filled with water. Flowers bloom in clusters at the terminal ends. Colors are orange and yellow. These flowers face upward.
  
  

Japanese Magnolia

• The Japanese magnolia tree or Magnolia X soulangeana is sometimes also called the saucer magnolia or the Japanese tulip tree. It is a comparatively small tree with a mature height of just 20 to 30 feet. It can be either multi-trunked or single trunked. This tulip tree is rated for hardiness in Zones 4 through 9. The flowers bloom in the spring prior to leaf budding. They have the tulip shape and come in pink and white.