Actually Tulip trees have perfect flowers, meaning they can self pollinate having both male and female parts in the same flower. For Tulip Trees, heavy seed crops tend to compensate for low seed viability (around 5-20 percent). The samaras are wind dispersed to distances 4 and 5 times the height of the parent tree. Seeds require a cold stratification period, and germination rates vary with time and temperature. Under controlled conditions, stratification in moist sand within a temperature range of 32° to 50° F for periods of 70 to 90 days resulted in satisfactory germination. However, seedling yield increases with increasing time of stratification. Generally as temperature decreases and time increases the germination rate increases; for example, 90 percent germination occurred after 140 days at 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Germination is epigeal and occurs when seeds remain constantly moist for several weeks. Seed Germination and seedling development is enhanced on mineral soil or on well-decomposed humus than on a thick, undecomposed litter layer. Germinating yellow-poplar seedlings need a suitable seedbed and adequate moisture to survive and become established. After germination, several critical years follow. During this period sufficient soil moisture must be available, good drainage and protection against drying and frost heaving are necessary, and there must be no severe competition from nearby sprout growth. In a study in which various mulches were used to induce soil temperature variation, seedlings grew faster in warm soil than in cool soil. Soil temperatures as high as 97° F had a beneficial effect on seedling growth.

My sister had a large one when she lived in Rhinebeck, NY, which was very attractive. It cast a nice shade over an end of the house in the afternoon. Living where I do now, I have many of them, and like them. They are very fast growing. One I planted in the ground, from a 2-yr-old potted seedling (18-22"), about 2.5 years ago, is about 10' tall, and that with mulching, but with minimal watering. I find they are less "spreading" than a maple or oak, but will make enough shade for most purposes. I really like the flowers. My main complaint is that they will lose a branch now and then in high winds, but I think most of mine are clear-cut survivers, not ones that grew up in the open, as they are narrower than some I have seen in the area, and thus wouldn't have grown branches as strong as those in the more exposed, open ground. I also have to admit to a dislike of the 2 weeks or so when they are dropping their seeds, as the seeds are everywhere. Mostly, they don't sprout, thank heavens, but I do weed seedling tulip trees out of flower beds every summer - at least, the leaf is obvious, and they pull easily while young.

I doubt any of the seeds I have still around - on top of wintered over pots, in the mess of leaves, etc., I have yet to clean up, etc., are viable. However, they ARE stratified, so I can collect some and send them to you to try now. I will have a blizzard of seeds in the fall, and can - if you remind me, as I KNOW I will forget - send you lots then. I can only be thankful that they DO have a low viability, as I have about 4 big ones I missed last fall, and will have dozens of little seedlings over the summer, to pull as it is! Which reminds me, they do seem to sprout on a variable schedule, so don't assume, if nothing shows aboveground in a few weeks that nothing will. It MAY not, but you might get a seedling or two.

Well, here are the 2 spots I've narrowed it down to. The side front yard where it would be on the WSW side of my house. The fence you see in my yard, to the left of it there's 3' more of my property. They couldn't set the fence any closer because of a power line underground. The reason I'm telling you guys this is because I'm curious to know if that would pose a problem with the tree down the line. If I were to plant it on this side of my house it would be about 3'-5' on my side of the property line, in line with the fence or chokeberry bush. Also, it would cross with the day lillies that run across the front of my house. Here's a few pictures. By the way, the small tree you see planted is a Kwazan Cherry I just planted about a month ago. Now, here's the other site I could plant it. It's on my side yard on the NE side of my house. I wouldn't get anything on the cooling end on my house but I'd get a screen from the street in the background. So there you have it for my choices. I also didn't mention that behind my neighbors house there is a small stream. It's about 200' from where the tree will be planted. I'm pretty sure that will only help this tree when it get's bigger. So there you have it. Which spot do you guys think is better? I'm also thinking about doing the planting on Saturday evening. Were supposed to get a few days break with the warm temps.