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Dwarf Tulip Poplar & Tulip Poplar growth in pot?

10 years ago

Hello, after reading a couple of old questions on this site, I was wondering is there an actual dwarf tulip poplar? If so is there a maximum height on it? I wouldn't mind keeping one or two in a pot! Also, I read that a user kept a tulip poplar in a pot for a couple of years and it grew starting from one foot to 16 inches within almost three years. Is that possible? Thanks!

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Comments (8)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
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 ....
Embothrium
10 years ago
Miniature cultivar 'Ardis' was selected in 1957 but is probably not available now - try a web search to see if any listings appear.
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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.
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Thanks for the feedback everyone. So it seems that everyone thinks I should plant the tree. The issue is as follows: I am renting my current house and may only be here a few more years (3 at most). I would love to be able to bring the tree with me to my next (and likely permanent) home. Is there any way that I can keep this as a potted tree for another year or two? What if I put the pot on the 1st step of the storm cellar, which is likely 1 ft below the thin metal door that opens to the outdoors? Would that work?
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There are nurseries specializing in oversized trees. About ten twelve years ago I bought a zelkhova with a trunk 4 inches in diameter for a couple of hundred dollars. I imagine prices have gone up. I am told thre is a real price break at 4 inches. Bigger than that and prices really rise. Such nurseries however are not really retail nurseries. You'd be an afterthought. They service mainly developers. You might be better off buying from Behnkes, who'd get it from a dealer. When I bought my big trees I waited until fall. The summers in our area are much tougher than the fall. You'd have to set up a regular watering program etc. I also bought a 2 inch willow oak. Worked out--it is now largish---but I wouldn't describe it as wider than taller. Furthermore, it doesn't really shade the house. I planted it near the property line to shade the patio. It will take a long time before it shadows my 2 story house.
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Nick.S
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the responses guys!

And the reason why I asked some questions about putting them in pots and such is because I'll be heading off to college, and I want to plant a tree that is a great source of nectar so in the future when I keep bees they'll love it. I won't be living with my parents forever, hopefully lol, and I just wanted to see if I could keep them in a pot for a number of years until I get my own place and such. But it doesn't seem like it'll work unless it's a dwarf tree. But thanks for the info!
salicaceae
10 years ago
'Ardis' is not really dwarf. It is smaller than the species, but still can be a decent sized tree. We have a plot of them in a horticulture trial here and they are about 20' tall and have a dense oval crown and leaves about 1/3rd size of the typical form.
Embothrium
10 years ago
Yes, the tree and leaves are a fraction of typical. When the species grows like, 60' (200') tall one 20' tall is definitely significantly smaller.
j0nd03
10 years ago
Nick, trees will still be around by the time you buy a house ;-)

Might as well just wait until you are ready to move in and purchase some young healthy stock.

Now there is nothing wrong with growing some trees in pots for years as an experiment and with proper up potting and root pruning, you could even plant them out eventually. But this is a lot of work compared to just waiting until you actually move to purchase your trees.

John
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
college.. eh...

so you are thinking about growing a tree .. that grow 3 to 5 feet per year for 4 years...

what size pot will you be contemplating ... on a 4 year old.... 20 foot tree???? .. i am trying to picture it growing out your dorm window ... lol..

i really like your DREAM A LITTLE DREAM thinking ...

but i dont see you all that much ahead of the ball... by the time you have somewhere to plant them ...

ken
danbonsai
10 years ago
Nick, plant your tree in a pot ...experience will enrich you.

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