Sugar Maple (Hard Maple) vs Tulip Tree - TreeTime.ca

Sugar Maple (Hard Maple) vs Tulip Tree

Acer saccharum

Liriodendron tulipifera

Sugar Maple (Hard Maple)
Tulip Tree

Sugar Maple is a large, deciduous tree known for its brilliant fall yellow, orange, and red-orange color display.

This long-lived shade tree features unique "maple"
lobed leaves.

Note: this Zone 4 tree is unlikely to produce commercially viable sap on the prairies.

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.

Sugar Maple (Hard Maple) Quick Facts

Tulip Tree Quick Facts

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Zone: 4a
Zone: 4a
Height: 20 m (66 ft)
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
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
Seeds: winged samara
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, PE
Native to: ON
Other Names: hard maple, rock maple
Other Names: canoewood, tulip poplar, tulip-poplar, tuliptree, yellow poplar