A Glimpse of Nature - Tulip Tree

See what’s happening on the grounds of the Ames Free Library or nearby areas with “A Glimpse of Nature.” Offered by Lorraine Rubinacci, the library's resident naturalist, this weekly photo blog is a gentle reminder to enjoy the wonders that surround us.

A Glimpse of Nature - "Tulip Tree"

Have you seen this flower?

It blooms on the library's magnificent tulip trees, those giant shade trees on the front lawn. This species is one of the largest hardwoods in eastern North America, with some individuals surpassing 150 feet. Tall and straight, with distinctive four-lobed leaves and big yellow flowers, tulip trees stand out in a crowd. Native in Massachusetts, this grand tree is also planted as an ornamental in parks and on larger properties, where it offers a rare combination: a tree that is fast growing and long lived. Old-growth trees, like some that I’ve seen in New York state, can live hundreds of years.

You would think that such large flowers would be easy to spot, but their yellow-green color melds with the foliage and, as wildflower.org notes, they are “often missed because they are up 50 ft. or higher in the tops of trees.” To get a closer look, check out the young tulip tree near Queset Garden’s gate. It is currently in bloom, but not for long: June is their season here in Massachusetts. If you’re lucky, you’ll also see some of its animal associates: honey bees and hummingbirds sipping nectar, Eastern Tiger Swallowtails laying their eggs, or birds nesting on its limbs.

Also called yellow poplar, this straight-trunked tree was formerly used for dugout canoes and currently for furniture (like my kitchen table). Despite its name, it’s unrelated to tulips or poplars. It is actually in the magnolia family. Impressive in many ways, the tulip tree is the signature tree of the Ames Free Library.