tulip tree

noun

1. Also called tulip poplar,. a tall tree, Liriodendron tulipifera, of the magnolia family, native to the eastern U.S., having large, cup-shaped, green and orange flowers: the state tree of Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
2. African tulip tree.

tulip tree

noun

1. Also calledtulip poplaryellow poplar a North American magnoliaceous forest tree, Liriodendron tulipifera , having tulip-shaped greenish-yellow flowers and long conelike fruits
2. a similar and related Chinese tree, L. chinense
3. any of various other trees with tulip-shaped flowers, such as the magnolia

Word History and Origins

Origin of tulip tree¹

An Americanism dating back to 1695–1705

Example Sentences

Trees found in cities such as the London plane or the tulip tree, are excellent at absorbing carbon dioxide and removing pollutants from the air.

From BBC

Its aspens are growing at twice the speed normally expected, with fragrant sumac and tulip trees racing to catch up.

From Seattle Times

Common trees found in cities such as the London plane or the tulip tree, are excellent at absorbing carbon dioxide and removing pollutants from the air.

From BBC

They’re also being planted alongside native trees like sweet gum, tulip trees and bald cypress, to avoid genetically identical stands of trees known as monocultures; non-engineered poplars are being planted as experimental controls.

From New York Times

Red oaks, white oaks, chestnuts and tulip trees thrive there.

From Washington Post