Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Saturday - March 30, 2013
From: Gilbertsville , PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Trees
Title: Is yellow tulip poplar alive from Gilbertsville PA
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
How can I tell if my yellow tulip poplar is alive? thank youANSWER:
The best way to tell if any tree or woody plant is alive is the thumbnail test. We are assuming that your Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip tree) has put out no leaves nor blooms; it ordinarily blooms green, yellow and brown from April to June. If you follow our plant link to the webpage on your tree you will find these growing conditions:
"Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Rich, moist soils.
Conditions Comments: Tulip tree is insect and disease free. It is intolerant of compacted soil and should not be placed in confined beds or planters near pavement. It grows very rapidly in deep, rich well-drained soils with uniform rainfall. Dry summer weather causes physiological problems. Tulip tree drops its foliage in response to drought and is somewhat weak-wooded."
According to this USDA Plant Profile, your tree does grow natively in Montgomery County in southeast Pennsylvania.
Now, the thumbnail test. With your thumbnail and beginning at the highest branch you can reach, make a very thin scraping of the outer bark. If there is a very thin layer of green beneath that outer bark, that branch, at least, is alive. If there is no such green layer, continue farther down the tree in search of the green. If you can't find any, even down close to the roots, that tree is dead.
Okay, you probably want to know what it died of (if it is, indeed, dead). Honestly, we don't know, but here is a website from the Missouri Botanical Garden on the tree with some infomation on problems and diseases.
From the Image Gallery
More Trees Questions
Planting under Walnut Trees in Harrisville, MI.
July 22, 2009 - I have 2 50+ yr old Black Walnut trees in Northern Michigan (zone 4). I am planting a new bed (raised of course) and was considering adding a hydrangea. I am curious if this will thrive due to the jug...
view the full question and answer
Shade tolerant plants for Waynesville MO
April 09, 2013 - We moved to Waynesville, MO (gardening region 6) and when we bought our house there was a nice looking gardening area in front of the house. It is shaded moderately by a Redwood Tree and was "occupie...
view the full question and answer
How do you stop the bark from peeling off the tree in Amarillo?
May 07, 2012 - How do you stop the bark from peeling off the tree? I live in Amarillo, TX. If you can't stop the progression, how do you keep the tree alive?
view the full question and answer
January good time to plant live oak in January from Manor TX
January 19, 2014 - I want to plant a Live Oak in January. Is this a good time to plant it?
view the full question and answer
Privacy screen from Temecula CA
May 04, 2013 - I live in Temecula and need a fast growing tree by our pool that is good to block neighbors house.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |