Tulip Tree vs Japanese Quince - TreeTime.ca

Tulip Tree vs Japanese Quince

Liriodendron tulipifera

Chaenomeles japonica

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Tulip Tree
Japanese Quince

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.

Japanese Quince has bright, orange to red showy flowers that bloom in early spring. The flowers appear before the leaves and may continue to bloom after leaves emerge. Flowers grow on old wood, so pruning after flowering will help to promote new growth next spring. They produce yellow-green fruit that taste bitter when eaten raw, typically they are better suited for making preserves.

It can be used as a stand alone ornamental shrub, as a low hedge, or can be trained to grow against a wall. In late winter, branches of Japanese Quince can be cut and brought indoors where they will bloom on their own. They are deer and rabbit tolerant. The branches are spiny making them well suited for keeping unwanted wildlife away.

Tulip Tree Quick Facts

Japanese Quince Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $7.49 - SAVE UP TO 25%
Zone: 4a
Zone: 5a
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright, oval to pyramidal
Spreading: seeds - low
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium


Foliage: 4-lobed somewhat spade-shaped
Fall colour: golden yellow
Flowers: greenish yellow, tulip-shaped
Flowers: showy, red-orange
Bloom time: spring to early summer
Fruit: greenish yellow
Flavor: bitter
Harvest: fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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