In 1947, the Tennessee General Assembly voted to name the tulip poplar (a.k.a. yellow poplar) the official State Tree. It was chosen because it grew from one end of the state to the other. They also had historical, homey significance: the majestic trees were widely used by the pioneers to build their log cabins.
The statuesque tree commands respect. They grow straight and strong eventually reaching heights of over 250 feet, dominating the other trees around them. Their flowers are tulip-like, the same soft orange color as cantaloupe or Creamsicles. They’ve been in bloom here and there around the valley for the past few weeks.
But, I would be remiss and even disappoint the late Dr. Aaron Sharp—one of my botany professors at the University of Tennessee—if I did not mention one thing. The wonderful trees are not poplars; they’re magnolias: Liriodendron tulipifera (means "lily tree, tulip-like") If I had named the plant, I would have called it "Liriodendron creamsiclera."
The more proper common name is tuliptree.
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