November 11…The leaves of the Tulip tree are full of color. In another month or less, I’ll be happy to rake up piles of them. Hmmm, maybe I better see if the owners are okay with that.
A different view of the Tulip tree. The setting sun brings out the colors.
Ah, there’s a seed pod up there.
I pulled out my pocket knife but the pod just fell into my hand.
There were precious few pods hanging in the tree…then I looked down and found lots of them on the ground already.
November 12…I picked up as many seed pods as my bag would hold wondering what people thought of me walking with a very full doggy bag.
Hoping to get the seeds to pop out, I pulled the pod open…but where are the seeds?
Are these the seeds? I’ll try planting these in the spring, but if they don’t grow, I can always plant a Tulip tree twig. (See gregmcswain1’s comment below)
I was struck at how similar the Tulip tree seed pods were to my backyard spruce tree cones. Deciduous on the left, conifer on the right.
I couldn’t get enough of the colorful leaves, so I just pointed the camera upward for one more shot before leafing leaving.
Adventures in Natural Beekeeping 
What a beautiful tree – and the texture of those pods are amazing. Good luck with those seeds!
Those are the seeds indeed. Our property here in central Virginia is loaded with these Tulip Poplars. The bees turn the blooms into fine honey in years the weather cooperates.
Thanks for mentioning that. I’ve never really ‘opened up’ a cone before to see where the seeds are.
I’ve read that east of the Mississippi, Tulip trees are a main nectar source. I only noticed a few bees and a wasp on the very colorful blossoms here on the Oregon Coast. I don’t think it gets warm enough here.
They are among the first flowers to kick off the spring flow here. If we get an extended rainy period or a late frost once they bloom it wrecks the harvest. Fickle friend that mother nature.