Liriodendron tulipifera

The American tulip tree is in the Magnoliaceae family and is native to eastern North America from southern Ontario and Illinois, eastward to southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and south to central Florida and Louisiana. It can grow to be one of the largest native trees in the eastern United States, reaching up to 60 m tall and 3 m in diameter.

• Leaves are alternate, simple, 4-lobed, somewhat resembling a tulip. In autumn they turn a bright yellow.
• Flowers are large and brilliant greenish yellow, with slight bands of red and orange.
• Fruit is a narrow, light brown upright cone (an aggregate of follicles) 6 to 8 cm long, formed from many samaras, which open outward and fall off by spring to be dispersed by wind.
• Winter buds are slightly flat, thumb-like distinct protrusions with 2 bud scales; a leaf scar ring below them extends right around the twigs. Leaf scars are distinct, round, with 3 or more vascular bundles
• Pith is like soft foam spaced with diaphragms.