Tulip Poplar in bad shape?
Posted another thread to ask for suggestions on what trees to plant in place of a Tulip Poplar that I thought needs to come down. But now i have gotten some conflicting opinions from some local tree crews and im not sure what to do. I would prefer to keep the tree but my only worry is that it is only about 15 ft from the house. Originally, I had an arborist come to the house after we moved in to give us a consultation on our trees. When he was here he recommended some work being done on the Pin Oak out front and the Red Maple in the back but made no mention of this Tulip Poplar in question. I then got another estimate from a local tree company to do the same work and while he was on site he said this Poplar is rotting and needs to come down eventually. My wife then got another tree company to come out (bc other two estimates were very high) and he said the same thing. This morning I was planning to call one of the companies I had out and schedule the work to be done when I noticed a neighbor having some work done on their yard from a different tree company. I went over and asked him to stop by when he was done to look at this Poplar. I was surprised to hear him say that he didn't really think it needed to come down. I am lost at this point and not sure what to do now. Any thoughts? The 2nd photo is a closeup of the first photo and the 4th photo is a closeup of the 3rd.
Comments (10)
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
7 years agoPaul_DE-7a
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Tulip poplar in a micro pot...
Comments (8)Oops - you would have been way better off (sorry!) to have left it in the ground where it would a) grow much faster, b) have the benefit of all outdoor things trees need, like natural light and humidity, gradually changing temperatures, nutrients, rain, etc.etc. and c) experience the cold dormancy it needs to survive winters. Plus, unfortunately, it really doesn't make a good bonsai - growth habits are counterproductive. For the future, potting soil makes a lousy mix for potted anything (including house plants!) as it's full of water hogging peat that interferes with good drainage and 02 use by plants when it (eventually) compacts. Bonsai can't be treated like house plants in any case on many levels, and there is a lot to learn about a lot before you either dig up trees randomly at the wrong times of year (such as now), or spend money on potted things in stores without really knowing how to keep them alive at home (and it doesn't take long before they succumb to bad management). Of course you're new, we all were and have killed many things along the way - you can't know what you don't know, including even what to ask about, so start reading basics like bonsai4me.com, more expert stuff on tropicals from bonsaihunk.us/cultural.html and more of the same on conifers and other trees that need to live outside 24/7/365 (evergreengardenworks.com)....See MoreTulip Poplar tree
Comments (3)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....See MoreHow to Overwinter a tulip poplar sapling?
Comments (8)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?...See MoreSource for Tulip Poplar or Willow Oak near Silver Spring
Comments (8)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....See Morewaynedanielson
7 years agoPaul_DE-7a
7 years agoPaul_DE-7a
7 years agowaynedanielson
7 years agoPaul_DE-7a
7 years agoPaul_DE-7a
7 years ago
Logan L Johnson
7 years ago
Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis