Dinosaurs Romped Around the Ancestor of Tulip Tree

The modern-day tulip tree, Liriodendron tulipa, state tree of Indiana as well as Kentucky and Tennessee, can trace its lineage back to the time of the dinosaurs, according to research by an Indiana University paleobotanist and a Russian botanist published recently in the American Journal of Botany.

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Although originally extending as far north as southwestern Ontario, it can only be seen in its full magnificence in the deep, rich bottomland soils of the lower Appalachians. There it may reach and astounding 200-feet with an equally massive trunk perhaps 10 feet in diameter. These enormous dimensions make it North America’s tallest hardwood, designated by one admirer as the ‘King of Magnolias.’ Yes, magnolias, of ancient lineage in themselves, have been dated through fossils to the dinosaur dynasty so can join ginkgo of similar age back in the time of the ‘terrible lizards’ so designated by Victorian anatomist Richard Owen, who knew his Greek. Liriodendron derive from similar linguistic roots: leiron, Greek for lily, and dendron, tree.

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It has proven hardy over a somewhat wider range than it originally occupied. Now to be found even in the Toronto area it has been recommended as a desirable urban tree. However the flowers, four inches across, light green with an orange base reminiscent, as the name implies of a tulip bloom, cannot be expected until the tree has reached its third decade. Bees are willing to wait, going into throes of delight over them. The foliage turns an attractive yellow in the fall. Introduced from North America into Europe in the early 17th century, it found early appreciation in the parklands surrounding stately homes. Planted near river and lake situations resembling its native habitat, many have today reached impressive sizes. There is only one other species in the genera, the Chinese Tulip tree, Liriodendron chinense. Seldom seen in cultivation it is of a more modest height, reaching not more than 50 or so feet. It is native to the Lushan Mountains of central China. Back in its eastern North American home, the tulip tree has become known also as the tulip poplar, yellow poplar, canary whitewood and even canoewood, many hinting on more utilitarian usages. Originally hollowed out by Native Americans and early European settlers for canoes. The latter also used the wood for shingles, clapboards, cabinetwork and cigar- and bible-boxes. Sad to say, for such an impressive ornamental, today it has been consigned to such mediocrities as crates, boxes, plywood and even pulped for high-grade book paper. Thus fall the mighty.

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