Tulip Tree vs Thornless Honeylocust - TreeTime.ca

Tulip Tree vs Thornless Honeylocust

Liriodendron tulipifera

Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Tulip Tree
Thornless Honeylocust

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.

Thornless Honey Locust makes an excellent shade tree with its lacy foliage and dappled shade. The leaves are honey-yellow, light and airy, providing interesting color and texture to your landscape. This variety is thornless, and the seeds and pods provide food for wildlife such as deer and squirrels.

The Thornless Honey Locust is tolerant of drought, various soil conditions, and even road salt.

Tulip Tree Quick Facts

Thornless Honeylocust Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 3a
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Spread: 15 m (50 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: long
Growth form: upright, oval to pyramidal
Spreading: seeds - low
Suckering: none
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


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


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