Tuliptree

Tuliptree

(Liriodendron Tulipfera)

This tree can be found right along the walking trail, near a wooden platform made for lectures and meditating. It is also the only Tuliptree that I could find nearby.

Tuliptrees are fairly short, making up the understory of temperate deciduous forests. They are somewhat rare in CT, but not nearly as rare as Sassafras. They prefer moist, acidic soil and full sun. They are fairly drought resistant and grow very fast.

Tuliptrees stand out for a few reasons, obviously, one of them being their tulip-shaped leaves. Their flowers are also very interesting, with light greenish-yellow and pink tones growing high in the crown. Their bark can also have some interesting patterns. They serve many purposes for wildlife, with their flowers providing nectar for hummingbirds and bees, low branches for deer to browse, and seeds for birds and squirrels.