A tree of the largest size, reaching in its native haunts 150 to 190 ft in height, with a magnificent columnar trunk 8 or 9 ft in diameter. In the British Isles it has attained a stature of over 100 ft. The leaves vary in size, but are usually 3 to 8 in. long, and about one-third more in width, and by their form distinguish this from all other hardy trees except its Chinese ally; they are usually saddle-shaped, the apex being broad, and cut off almost square, or to a very shallow notch, the base truncate, or slightly hollowed, and extended at each side into an acute lobe with occasionally one or two more subsidiary ones. The leafstalk is slender, 2 to 4 in. long; the midrib is slightly extended beyond the blade. Flowers produced in June and July, and except for the three deflexed sepals, resemble a tulip in form. Petals oblong, 11⁄2 in. long, greenish white with an orange-coloured spot at the base, erect with their edges overlapping, thus giving the flower its cupped shape. In the centre is the large, pointed pistil surrounded by numerous stamens. The foliage turns rich yellow in autumn.
In a wild state the tulip tree extends from Nova Scotia south to Florida, reaching its finest development in the south Allegheny region. It was one of the earliest introductions from N. America, and is known to have been cultivated by Bishop Compton at Fulham in 1688; but it was probably introduced some time before, because it is on record that a tree at Waltham Abbey, in 1745, was already 96 ft high and 9 ft in girth of trunk. When once it has attained the adult stage, the tree flowers very abundantly in this country, but the colouring of its blossoms is too dull to render them very noticeable. It is for its noble trunk and stately dimensions, its fine and unique foliage, that it is so much prized in gardens. The timber is extensively used in N. America under the name of ‘white wood’, especially for indoor purposes. It is yellowish, smooth, and fine-grained, and although not strong, does not split easily. The bark o both root and branches has a pleasant, rather pungent scent.
Of the specimens of the tulip tree mentioned by Elwes and Henry many still exist, including all those portrayed (Tr. Gt. Brit. & Irel., Vol. 1, pp. 70-73 and plates 25-7). They are: Woolbeding Rectory, Sussex, 105 × 21 ft (1958); Leonardslee, Sussex, 111 × 131⁄2 ft (1958); Horsham Park, Sussex, 82 × 171⁄4 ft (1960); Deepdene, Dorking, Surrey, pl. 1846, 90 × 171⁄4 ft (1964); Esher Place, Surrey, reputed to be from the introduction of 1675, 85 × 271⁄4 ft at 2 ft (1967); Erlestoke,Wilts, girth 15 ft (1966); Killerton, Devon, lopped, girth 171⁄4 ft (1959).
Other specimens of note are: Kew, 100 × 103⁄4 ft, a fine tree; Kitlands, Leith Hill, Surrey, pl. 1860 (?), 108 × 181⁄4 ft, a superb tree, bole 10 ft (1964); Taplow House, Bucks, 115 × 19 ft. meas. by P. H. Gardner (1962); Hedingham Castle, Essex, 78 × 12 ft (1958); Stanway, Glos., 102 × 151⁄2 ft (1964); Haffield House, Heref., 102 × 18 ft at 3 ft (1966); Dean Court, Wimborne, Dorset, 85 × 181⁄4 ft (1967); Stourhead, Wilts, 102 × 18 ft, 98 × 161⁄2 ft, and 82 × 18 ft (1970); Priory Lodge, Bradford-on-Avon, Wilts, 117 × 15 ft, meas. by E. Barnes (1971); Nettlecombe, Som., 98 × 161⁄2 ft (1970); Glendurgan, Cornwall, pl. 1832, 80 × 18 ft (1965).
cv. ‘Aureomarginatum’. – Leaves margined with yellow. This is the commonest and best of several variegated sorts, and was figured in Flore des Serres, Vol. 19 (1873), t. 2025. The following specimens have been recorded: Blackmoor, Hants, 65 × 41⁄4 ft (1968); Holkham Hall, Norfolk, 62 × 33⁄4 ft (1968); Melbury, Dorset, 78 × 31⁄4 ft (1957); Woodhouse, Uplyme, Dorset, 75 × 7 ft (1957); Stourhead, Wilts, 75 × 6 ft (1970). Less common is ‘Aureopictum’, in which the centre of the leaf is blotched with yellow.
cv. ‘Crispum’. – Leaves broader than long, with wavy margins.
cv. ‘Fastigiatum’. – Of columnar habit. There are two examples at Wakehurst Place, Sussex, measuring 57 × 3 ft and 54 × 31⁄4 ft (1964).
f. integrifolium Kirchn. – Leaves without the lateral lobes, and therefore of almost rectangular outline. This is the juvenile condition persisting; the first leaves of all tulip trees are of this form. An example at Kew measures 65 × 71⁄2 ft (1967).