Showy Mountain Ash vs Tulip Tree - TreeTime.ca

Showy Mountain Ash vs Tulip Tree

Liriodendron tulipifera

Sorbus decora

Tulip Tree
Showy Mountain Ash

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.

Showy Mountain Ash is a hardy accent tree. It features pretty clusters of white flowers in spring followed by bright scarlet berries lasting into winter.

Great for small landscapes, Showy Mountain Ash is adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and it is suitable for average home landscape conditions.

Tulip Tree Quick Facts

Showy Mountain Ash Quick Facts

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Zone: 4a
Zone: 2a
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright, oval to pyramidal
Spreading: seeds - low
Suckering: none
Suckering: low


Foliage: 4-lobed somewhat spade-shaped
Fall colour: golden yellow
Fall colour: reddish-orange
Flowers: greenish yellow, tulip-shaped
Flowers: white, showy clusters
Bloom time: spring to early summer
Berries: redberries in bunches
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: ON
Native to: SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL
Other Names: canoewood, tulip poplar, tulip-poplar, tuliptree, yellow poplar
Other Names: dogberry