Historic Tulip Poplar Succumbs

The historic tulip poplar that grew at the house's south side stood about 115 feet high and shaded events such as the annual Independence Day Naturalization Ceremonies. It was valued because of its majestic size and bearing, and view of history.

After almost a century of trying to promote health of the tree, Monticello caretakers decided the tulip poplar had to come down. Bartlett Tree Company workers carried out removal after visitor hours on June 25 and 26, according to a June 25, 2008 front-page article in The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA) and in regional Associated Press (AP) releases.

The tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) is a native American tree, common to the southeast U.S. and fast-growing. Its leaves and spring flowers both have distinctive tulip shapes. Tulip poplar wood made up colonial-era flooring and furniture, as well as some modern furniture.

The Thomas Jefferson Foundation endeavors to look after Monticello's house and grounds-- a United Nation's World Heritage Site-- as close as possible to Jefferson's original ideas and plans. Part of those plans includes Jefferson's fascination with trees. He utilized the practical as well as ornamental aspects of approximately 160 species of both native and exotic trees in his plantings. Jefferson's contemporary visitors referred to his trees, especially the exotic species, as his "pet trees."

Many reports of the ill-fated tulip poplar suggest that Jefferson planted it. The earliest photos of Monticello, taken around 1870, show a young tree in the spot where the tulip poplar stood. Opinion stated that this was the existing tree. On the other hand, Wayne Mogielnicki, Monticello's director of communications, points out that "If Jefferson had planted the existing tree in 1807…it would have appeared more mature in those photos."

The tree's exact age could not be determined because its trunk was mostly hollow, but estimates were at least 150 years, Mogielnicki said in published reports. The trunk mass at the ground level was only 17 percent living wood. The rest was hollow and like a pipe, he said.

An invading root disease called Phytophthora was the tulip poplar's main problem, causing the leaf canopy to thin and wood to dry out. Also, working against the tulip poplar's good health was its position next to the house with its roots running under the foundation, constricting vigorous growth.

During the twentieth century, the tulip poplar received superior care because of its history, position next to the house and size. Periodic pruning removed large branches and thinned the canopy. Pruning of the center trunk and other limbs in the 1920s left a tree that resembled four large fingers.

A second major pruning occurred in 1978. At this time, cables attached to the tulip poplar and another tree on the opposite side of the house insured that if the trees fell it would be onto the lawn and not the home.

Tree experts recommended removal of the tulip poplar in 1997. However, Mogielnicki said a team of arborists, engineers and an architect developed an internal, flexible cabling system to support the ailing tree.

However, this year, there were no more options for the tulip poplar and it came down. Visitors to Monticello now see a space where this majestic tree recently stood. Also, recently removed from the Monticello grounds were a mature copper beech and linden tree.

©Text and photograph by Georgene A. Bramlage. 2008. Reproduction without permission prohibited.

Tulip Tree Flower

Tulip Tree

Monticello House with Tulip Tree

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