It’s a Tulip Tree
Why is is called a Tulip Tree? Because the leaves look like open tulips. Thanks to “The Prospect of Bees,”, “HB,” and Amelia in France I have a solid identification to the mystery tree. They contributed when they saw the leaf shape in last month’s post.
The Arbor Day Foundation, says a tulip tree, Liriodendron tulipifera is…“A fast-growing tree with bright green leaves that resemble tulip flowers in profile and turn golden yellow in fall. Greenish-yellow flowers are carried high in the tree. Stems are aromatic. Likes full sun. Grows to 70′ to 90′, 40′ spread. (zones 4-9)”
According to The Peace Bee Farmer, the tulip tree, also known as Tulip Poplar or Yellow Poplar tree, is a member of the Magnolia family and an important nectar source across Tennessee, Kentucky, and much of the eastern United States.
May 2, 2014…Tulip tree blossom at the pre-open stage.
May 5, 2014…Blossom slow to reveal itself, but I’m watching it everyday, hoping to catch the opening act. I’d love to see some bees (maybe my own bees) pollinating it.
Speaking of Arbor Day, I was able to volunteer in the removal of life-choking ivy from alder and ash trees. In the process, I shot some video. Okay, I was mostly pointing the camera in people’s faces, but I was able to actually DO some work too.
Adventures in Natural Beekeeping 
Timely post! I was wondering when they flowered. Mine seems behind yours but I must keep an eye on it for buds. Amelia
What an unusual and magnificent tree!
http://carolinegillwildlife.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/tree-following-april-to-may.html
I love the idea of a tulip tree, though in my head it’s covered in tulips.
The quote says the stems are aromatic. What do they smell of?
To answer your question, we purposefully walked by that tree this morning. We tried sniffing a stem, then broke it off the branch and tried again…no detectable aroma. The tulip tree is not native to the Pacific Northwest. I’m guessing it’s not going to have the same properties of a tulip tree in Tennessee or Kentucky (2000+ miles away, but I will monitor it for aroma. Thanks for asking.