| General Description | This is a large, deciduous tree with a wide spread of branches. The leaves are variegated yellow with a green centre, which turn yellow in autumn. Trees that are older than 20 years old will have large, yellow-green, tulip-shaped flowers in early summer. |
| ID Characteristic | The large leaves are 4-lobed and variegated with green in the centre of the leaf, and creamy yellow on the edge of the leaf. When in blossom, the flowers are yellow with an orange centre, and are often described to look like tulips. The bark on the trunk is a greyish colour with the branches having a reddish-brown colour. As it ages, shallow groves will start to develop on the base of the tree. |
| Shape | The tree has an upright shape, with the crown holding a broad, pyramidical shape. |
| Landscape | Because of its size, ‘Aureomarginatum’ is mostly used in large landscape areas. They can be found being planted in large parks, cemeteries and large gardens. They are mostly planted for their beautiful leaves and flowers. |
| Propagation | In order to grow the tree from seed, you must first place the samaras, the fruit of the tulip tree, in a dry area for a few days in order for the seeds to separate from the fruit. If the seeds are not going to be used for a while, the seeds can be stored in air tight containers in the fridge. The seeds must be stratified for 60 – 90 days in a location that is cold and moist. After, you can start planting them in small containers. Along with seeding, you can plant this tree by cuttings. Take cuttings from a tree that has branches that are 46 cm long. The cutting must be cut slightly outside of where the branch attaches to the tree. After obtaining the cutting, place it in a bucket of water with rooting hormone. Then, place the cutting so that the cut end is 20cm in a pot filled with soil. |
| Cultivation | This tree can grow in full sun, light or partial shade, in soil that is moist or well drained. The soil must be deep and loose in order for the deep, fleshy taproots to penetrate deep in the ground. This tree is more successful if planted in late spring, as the young saplings are susceptible to frost. It does not need much pruning, but removing branches that are dead or broken will help keep it healthy. |
| Pests | There are very little pests or diseases that affect this tree. Look out for aphids and scale. |
| Notable Specimens | ‘Aureomarginatum’ species can be found in Pukekura Park, which is located in New Plymouth, New Zealand. The tree is mainly used for nature photographers. |
| Habitat | Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description | The bark at the base of the tree is a greyish colour and will form shallow groves as it ages. The branches further up the tree are a reddish-brown colour. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | The flower bud is large and has a conical shape. They take on the colour of the flower. The leaf buds look similar to the flower buds but are placed on the end of a twig. |
| Leaf Description | The leaves are 8-15 cm long and 9-18 cm wide. They have 4 lobes and the tops are straight to incised with a shallow “v”. They are variegated with green in the centre, and a wide creamy yellow edge. The underside of the leaf has a blueish green tint. In the autumn the whole leaf turns yellow. |
| Flower Description | The flowers are 5 cm long and are cup shaped. Given the name of the tree, the flowers are shaped like tulips. Orange lines the centre of the flower with a yellow-green around the edges. These flowers attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. They bloom in late Summer or June-July, but they can be hard to spot because the large leaves tend to block them from sight. Only trees that are 20 years or older produce flowers. |
| Fruit Description | The fruit is conical and often up to 10 cm long. They have many winged nutlets pressed together in the shape of a spiral. They can be green or brown in colour. |
| Colour Description | In the spring and summer, the leaves form with their variegated green and creamy yellow colour. The flowers come into bloom with colours of orange and yellow-green. In the autumn, the leaves turn from their usual colour to completely yellow. During the winter, the only colour is the greyish bark. |
| Texture Description | Medium |