March 13, 2014…a leaf is shaping up on our mystery tree
April 13, 2014…As I was walking this leaf back home, I passed Linda’s house. “Linda, how are you at identifying trees,” I asked. “Hummm, it looks like some sort of ivy tree,” she replied. “Are you kidding?” “This is a tree with a single wide trunk,” I countered. “Well, there are such trees as ivy trees,” she said. “I will let you know when I find out,” says me.
April 13, 2014…Back of leaf.
March 13, 2014…trunk of mystery tree
Adventures in Natural Beekeeping 
Tulip tree! That leaf shape gives it away. Supposed to be a good nectar source.
Thank you for solving the mystery and identifying my tree. I looked it up and it sounds like tulip trees grow mostly east of the Mississippi. It’s a big time nectar source for bees (there). Last year I couldn’t find a single bee on the blossoms, but that won’t stop me from looking again this year. I wonder what it’s doing growing here in the Pacific Northwest?
It is in someone’s yard rather than out in the woods? Probably obtained from a nearby nursery.
Before we began keeping bees of our own we had a few tulip trees but we had to have them removed. Although we would see bees around our yard they never seemed to show interest in these trees. Perhaps we never looked at the right time?
Ooh, is that what it is? Tulip tree sounds interesting…
I agree with theprospectofbees. Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera). Your photo of the leaf reminded me of this blog post right away: http://newyorkplantsandotherstuff.blogspot.com/2009/05/tuliptree.html
Thank you HB. I looked up the newyork plant link…the question I have is, how did you immediately think of that link FROM FIVE YEARS AGO??? You must have had an extra cup of coffee this morning. 🙂
It was a double-shot espresso, LOL. Actually, ever since reading that post, I’ve wanted a tree that produced Hello Kitty leaves.
That is exactly what I was going to suggest as I have a Liriodendron tulipifera in my garden. It flowered for the first time last year but I missed the flowers and only saw the remains in autumn. I am very excited that it might prove good for nectar for the bees. Amelia
If you get any photos of bees on the Tulip blossoms, Amelia, I’d be happy to post them ( with your photo credits/links of course). When I was looking for them on google I saw precious few. It’s possible you are south far enough that bees will use the nectar. Last year I was unsuccessful in finding any bees on them.
I think I am going to need a ladder for a good photograph! I’ll keep you updated, I’m not sure when they flower. 🙂