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.

hey i am not aware of a dwarf ... probably because i have not been looking .... but i can give you some observations on the non-dwarf ... though not a poplar.. they are a very aggressive growing tree ... so i doubt you will do well in pots ... for very long... because you will outgrow it fast ... in mineral sand.. with no fert ever... and only watering for 2 years .... i would think i was/am getting 3 to4 feet per year .... no tree ever really stops growing at some magical height ... so you will never find a MAX height ... google your common name.. find the latin name... and then add ANNUAL GROWTH RATE ... and you ought to be able to learn about its potential .... but also.. if you see one listed at less than the otherwise norm.. then that will be a dwarf.. and if you can associate a name with it ... then bob's your uncle ..... in other words.. a reduced annual growth rate... is the definition of a dwarf .... from two foot tall mail order sticks 11 years ago ... most of mine are going over 30 feet tall .... why are you limiting yourself to pots .... i really dont see this huge tree.. as a friend you will be taking on your travels... lol ... IMHO .. your only option... should you insist on pots... is BONSAI .... ken ps: i wonder on bonsai ... if you would have this tiny mature tree... with a whompin big flower ... lol .... i might have to google that .... i did.. but no luck ... and then the coffee hit.. and i gave up.. WWW not moving fast enough.. lol ....

I remember reading about "stooling" a tulip tree from this article linked below. Of course, I can't find my copy of the journal now. Here is a link that might be useful: Tulip tree

i am not impressed with any damage to trees by late august ... they are going to fall off in 8 weeks or so anyway ... if you were in MI i would tell you 8 to `12 weeks of severe drought ... is why ALL trees and shrubs in the area.. are stressed.. and showing early leaf change to some extent ... also .. trees have been at it billions of years.. they rarely need anything from us.. once the are fully established ... so dont ever try to love them to death .... finally.. plagues of bugs are cyclical over the decades .. and rarely.. short of denuding a tree.. of any real consequence ... double finally .. lawn sprinklers are not really set up to deal with trees .. but anything they add.. sure wont hurt ... trees prefer a DEEP drink.. and then near drying ... not the short surface watering .. but i would even bother with the deep one ... as far as the tree is concerned.. but if it makes you happy ... put the hose on a slow trickle.. and let it soak in for a few hours ... im talking a slow drip ... ken