White Oak vs Tulip Tree - TreeTime.ca

White Oak vs Tulip Tree

Quercus alba

Liriodendron tulipifera

White Oak
Tulip Tree

White Oak is large, long-lived tree with an irregular trunk divided into spreading, often horizontal, stout branches. A highly adaptable tree, White Oak features green acorns and beautiful green leaves that turn red-purple in the fall.

With a huge growth in bourbon and scotch over the past few decades there is an emerging shortage of white oak that is the primary tree used for cask barrels and aging.

Note: Most Oak species can be considered toxic for many animals.

Tulip Tree is the perfect shade tree for wide open spaces. It has a shallow and extensive root system, so ensure you give it space to grow. The attractive and showy, yellow-orange, tulip shaped flowers are where this tree gets its name.

Tulip Tree is somewhat rare in Canada but highly sought after as it is difficult to grow. Does best in a moist, well-drained soil.

White Oak Quick Facts

Tulip Tree Quick Facts

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Zone: 4a
Zone: 4a
Height: 30 m (98 ft)
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: long
Growth form: upright, oval to pyramidal
Spreading: seeds - low
Suckering: none
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: red-pink changing to bright yellow-green
Foliage: 4-lobed somewhat spade-shaped
Fall colour: dark red
Fall colour: golden yellow
Flowers: greenish yellow, tulip-shaped
Bloom time: spring to early summer
Nuts: acorns
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: ON, QC
Native to: ON
Other Names: canoewood, tulip poplar, tulip-poplar, tuliptree, yellow poplar