This week we are celebrating the tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera). This celebration is wholly due to Dr. Katie Bearden, whose eagle eye caught a glimpse of orange on high. This led to the discovery that a tulip poplar was blooming. Quite a find, considering that these flowers are located far above eye level and largely obscured by big, floppy leaves.
Tulip poplars are not native to northwest Louisiana, so it's unlikely that you would observe one in the wilds of Caddo, Bossier, DeSoto, or Webster parishes. However, tulip poplars grow natively in other areas of Louisiana and the southeastern United States.
If you visit the Centenary College campus, you can view five individual tulip poplars. All reside outside of the arboretum proper. Two are located between the arboretum and the cafeteria, and there are three between Crumley Gardens and Rotary Hall. Information on the source and age of these specimens is unavailable; we cannot say how old they were when they were planted, but we do know that they were planted in the late '90s. Today, all five trees are very tall, with no lower branches, and appear healthy.
 |
Dr.
Bearden first noticed the tulip poplar near the cafeteria. As noted above, the orange flower caught her eye. Since it was far out of reach, she enlisted
the services of Eddie Walker, Chief of Public Safety, who used a drone
to capture images of the flowers. The light orange flowers only just stand out against the green foliage.
|
 |
Chief Walker's expertise operating a drone made it possible for us to see the flowers up close. Do you see a resemblance to our flowering magnolia? Tulip poplar and flowering magnolia are in the same family, Magnoliaceae.
|
In the hope of finding a flower within arm's reach, we examined the four other tulip poplars for a candidate. One tree in particular was thoroughly examined with the aid of a step ladder. All photos below are of a single tulip poplar, located near Crumley Gardens.
 |
Our tree of the week is pictured center. It's a tall, narrow tree, whose form resembles that of our eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), and like the eastern cottonwood, tulip poplars are known to be fast-growing trees. Based on the height of the young woman pictured, this tree is more than forty feet tall. Champion specimens may reach heights in excess of 160 feet.
|
 |
The tulip poplars on campus have straight trunks, and all lower limbs are absent, making leaves and flowers out of reach.
|
 |
Using a step ladder to examine the lowest branches, we could only find remaining cones, vestiges of past glories.
|
 |
Plenty of leaves were willing to be photographed. What a peculiar shape! Does it resemble a duck's foot with extra toes?
|
 |
A branchlet was snipped for closer examination. Unfortunately there isn't a flower located at the twig apex.
|
 |
Leaf stalks alternate along the twig.
|
 |
Tulip Poplar Twig with Leaves
|
 |
Large, boxy leaves are attached to long leaf stalks. Leaf and leafstalk together measure approximately one foot in length.
|
 |
Tulip poplar leaves are symmetrically lobed. The leaf tip is inverted, or "notched". Leaf margins are smooth.
|
 |
Underneath, leaves are pale green.
|
 |
| The tiny white dots are aphids. These were found on all the leaves that were closely examined. This level of infestation does not appear to be doing any harm to the tree. |
 |
In the photo above, the leaf appears particularly shiny and it feels sticky. According to Joe Boggs from Ohio State University's Buckeye Yard & Garden onLine, the stickiness is a byproduct of the aphids feeding on the tree. The "honeydew" attracts other insects and mold, which could harm the tree.
|
 |
The gray trunk bark is rough and furrowed.
|
 |
In a few spots we see the ridges crossed into a diamond pattern.
|
 |
Grass was removed from around the base of the trunk so that we could get a good look at the root structure and also to keep the weed-eaters away from the bark. We will use mulch to replace the grass.
|
 |
A few surface roots were identified in the grass, but nothing problematic for lawn maintenance.
|
For more information about this species, please consult the following online sources:
Louisiana Plant Identification and Interactive Virtual Tours (LSU AgCenter)
Buckeye Yard & Garden onLine (The Ohio State University)
NC State Extension
US Forest Service
