Acute Willow vs Tulip Tree - TreeTime.ca

Acute Willow vs Tulip Tree

Liriodendron tulipifera

Salix acutifolia

Tulip Tree
Acute Willow

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.

Acute Willow is a very fast growing small tree that can reach growth rates of up to 6 feet per year. It's a great choice for developing a quick, hardy shelterbelt, windbreak, or privacy screen.

Acute Willow will grow multi-stemmed but can be pruned to a single stem for a smaller footprint. It prefers moist areas and requires almost no maintenance.

Willows are important to native pollinators each spring as they have higher amounts of pollen and nectar early each growing season when other food sources are scarce.

Tulip Tree Quick Facts

Acute Willow Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $7.49 - SAVE UP TO 25%
Lowest Price: $1.49 - SAVE UP TO 57%
Zone: 4a
Zone: 2a
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: short
Growth form: upright, oval to pyramidal
Spreading: seeds - low
Suckering: none
Suckering: low


Foliage: 4-lobed somewhat spade-shaped
Foliage: long slender leaves
Fall colour: golden yellow
Bark: younger branches are bright brown-red
Flowers: greenish yellow, tulip-shaped
Bloom time: spring to early summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


In row spacing: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: ON
Other Names: canoewood, tulip poplar, tulip-poplar, tuliptree, yellow poplar
Other Names: acute leaf willow, acute leafed willow, long-leaved violet willow, sharp-leaf willow