Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) is also known as tulip poplar because its leaves resemble the shape of a tulip flower. Yellow poplar has large terminal buds that are covered with two scales that resemble the valves of a clam (left photo). The terminal bud is 3/8-1/2 " long and the scales are without hairs. This tree has alternate budscales and leaves that are simple. Unlike the terminal bud, the axillary buds (middle or left photo) are small, setting at the top of a circular leaf scar. In the middle and right photo you will notice that there are lines that seem to run all the way around the stem. These are stipule scars. They always occur on yellow poplar twigs. If you cut a twig through to the pith (right photo), you will see that the pith is solid but chambered with partitions. Click of the right photo to see these. The bark of yellow poplar has ridges and valleys with the valleys filled with much lighter color. In the early summer, yellow poplar flowers. It is one of our only forest trees with large showy yellow flowers. CLICK on any image to enlarge it.
