Black Hills Spruce vs Tulip Tree - TreeTime.ca

Black Hills Spruce vs Tulip Tree

Liriodendron tulipifera

Picea glauca var. densata

Tulip Tree
Black Hills Spruce

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.

Black Hills Spruce is a subspecies of White Spruce native to the Black Hills of South Dakota. It has a strongly conical form, slower growth rate and denser foliage than typical white spruce, making it preferable as a specimen tree for smaller suburban lawns. It also responds well to pruning, and can be used as a hedge or even bonsai.

Tulip Tree Quick Facts

Black Hills Spruce Quick Facts

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Lowest Price: $2.99 - SAVE UP TO 57%
Zone: 4a
Zone: 2b
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: long
Life span: long
Growth form: upright, oval to pyramidal
Spreading: seeds - low
Suckering: none
Suckering: none


Foliage: 4-lobed somewhat spade-shaped
Fall colour: golden yellow
Flowers: greenish yellow, tulip-shaped
Bloom time: spring to early summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


In row spacing: 3 - 4 m (10 - 12 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: ON
Other Names: canoewood, tulip poplar, tulip-poplar, tuliptree, yellow poplar