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Description

Description

• Height and Spread: Emerald City® typically matures to 55 to 60 feet tall with a spread of 25 to 30 feet, forming a strong central leader and a more upright, symmetrical crown compared to the straight species.
• Leaves: Large, tulip-shaped leaves emerge bright green in spring, mature to a deep, glossy green in summer, and turn a vibrant golden-yellow in fall. The dense foliage provides excellent summer shade.
• Flowers: In late spring to early summer, creamy yellow-green tulip-shaped flowers with orange centers appear among the leaves. While somewhat hidden in the canopy, they add seasonal charm and provide nectar for pollinators.
• Fruit: Cone-like clusters of winged seeds follow the flowers, maturing in fall and persisting into winter, offering food for wildlife.
• Growth Habit: Upright and symmetrical with a strong central trunk, making it more uniform and predictable in form than the species Tulip Tree.

Habitat and Cultivation

• Native Range and Adaptability: As a cultivar of the native Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), Emerald City® thrives in USDA zones 4 through 9. Its adaptability and improved structure make it a standout choice for urban plantings and managed landscapes.
• Soil and Sunlight: Prefers deep, fertile, well-drained soils with consistent moisture. Performs best in full sun, where growth and fall color are most vigorous.
• Watering: Requires regular watering during establishment and benefits from supplemental irrigation in hot, dry conditions. Once established, it tolerates moderate drought but thrives with consistent moisture.

Care and Maintenance

• Pruning: Minimal pruning is required, typically limited to removing lower branches to raise the canopy or eliminating damaged limbs. Best pruned in late winter while dormant.
• General Care: Known for its strong branching and improved crown form, reducing the risk of storm damage compared to the species. Relatively free from serious pests and diseases.

Landscaping Use

• With its stately size, uniform form, and brilliant golden fall display, the Emerald City® Tulip Tree is an excellent choice for shade and street plantings.
• It provides strong vertical presence and seasonal interest in parks, large yards, campuses, and boulevards. Offering the grandeur of the native Tulip Tree with improved reliability, Emerald City® is a premier selection for landscapes seeking both beauty and durability.