Tulip Tree Salt & Wind Tolerance

Trees are one of the oldest life forms on the planet.

Trees create a pleasant living and working environment, provide shade in the summer and increase the diversity of wildlife. Bark, fruit and flowers add color and texture in the garden. Landscaping in coastal areas, where trees and plants are exposed to wind and salt spray, is a difficult challenge. Site conditions and regular care and maintenance help tulip trees grow in coastal landscapes.

History

The tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is the tallest native broad-leaved tree, second only to the sycamore. Early settlers used the tulip tree, known for its soft, light wood, for dug-out canoes or to float rafts of heavy oak or walnut logs. The largest in the eastern United States are found in the Joyce Kilmer Forest in Graham County, in western North Carolina. Some tulip trees top 150 feet high and are 7 feet wide.

Symptoms

Damage to tulip trees from high levels of salt usually appears on the tips or margins of leaves as burning. There may be irregular foliage with small leaves and dying twigs and branches. In a sensitive species, this is followed by defoliation and death. Sometimes the leaves are bluish, whitish or just off-color. The plant may wilt even though there's adequate water.

Features

Too much salt causes a tulip tree to suffer dehydration. Water moves out of the roots or leaves. Also, sodium or chloride may accumulate and reach toxic levels. Plants and trees tolerant to salt prevent the absorption of sodium or chloride in its tissues. The age of the tulip tree, environmental conditions, cultural management, soil fertility and wind can be just as destructive. Coastal areas may experience greater damage.

Soil

Assess the soil in your planting site. Plant tulip trees in deep, well-drained loam. In low spots with heavy, compacted soil, water can't drain soluble salts from the soil. The tulip tree is moderately tolerant of soil saline and is usually unaffected by light salt spray.

Considerations

Plant tulip trees on the leeward side of staggered pine trees. Its soft wood makes it susceptible to wind damage caused by storms. Tulip trees do best when protected by buildings, fences or plantings of highly salt- and wind-tolerant trees and plants. The tree will likely suffer damage if buffer trees are removed to improve an ocean view.

References

• University of Hawaii Extension: Salt and Wind Tolerance of Landscape Plants for Hawaii
• Department of Agriculture: Liriodendron tulipifera
• University of Massachusetts Extension: Selection and Maintenance of Plant Materials for Coastal Landscapes

Resources

• Graham County, North Carolina: Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest