Tulip Tree

Tulip-Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), a lovely North American magnoliaceous tree, fossil representatives of which occur in the Miocene rocks of Europe, whilst an allied species still lives in Central China. It reaches 100 ft. to 140 ft. in height, having a smooth bark, bright-green leaves of a remarkably truncate four-lobed form, with large deciduous stipules, and tulip-like orange flowers with three reflexed sepals and six petals. The tree grows well in English gardens. In America its wood is used for Indian canoes, and in cabinet-making and coach-building, and it is now being imported in England under the misleading trade names of" poplar,"" white,"" yellow," or "Virginian poplar," " whitewood," or "canary whitewood." It takes stains and polishes well, and is, therefore used in shop-fitting.