Squirrels, rabbits, and deer are no strangers to the allure of their buds and seeds either, highlighting the tulip tree's ability to assemble an array of biodiversity within its 30- to 60-foot spread.

Tulip poplar is also a common ornamental tree, prized for the beautiful yellow color of its leaves in autumn. Up-close, each leaf appears to resemble the Looney Tunes character Sylvester the Cat. Its ...