#5 Gallon
The Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is a fast-growing, majestic, and massive deciduous hardwood native to eastern North America, belonging to the magnolia family. It is known for its exceptionally straight, tall trunk, often reaching 70–120+ feet, and distinctive four-lobed, tulip-shaped leaves that turn bright yellow in fall. 
 
Key Characteristics & Information:
Flowers: In late spring (May-June), it produces unique 2-3 inch tulip-shaped flowers, which are greenish-yellow with a bright orange band at the base. These flowers are often hidden high in the canopy.
Growth & Size: A rapid grower, it thrives in full sun and deep, moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. It is one of the tallest eastern hardwoods.
Appearance: Features a long, clear trunk, often unbranched for 50+ feet in forests, but broader with a pyramidal-to-rounded canopy in the open.
Habitat & Range: Common in the Eastern United States, it is a key component of hardwood forests.
Uses: A valuable timber tree ("yellow poplar") used for furniture and plywood, and also a significant, though often unnoticed, source of nectar for honeybees.
Wildlife: Acts as a host plant for caterpillars (including the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail) and provides seeds for birds and small mammals. 
It is an excellent, fast-growing specimen tree for large landscapes, though it requires ample space.