49. Tilgate Tulip Tree
For a New Town, Crawley has some very old and impressive trees including one of the finest tulip trees in Sussex.
Tilgate Park is a tree lovers’ paradise. It contains dozens of old and unusual trees, but one in particular is surely the tree that many park goers will have noticed. It is a giant tulip tree with an incredible burry trunk growing just behind the inexplicably wild west themed restaurant close to the car park. Perhaps it is a slightly misplaced homage to this landmark American tree, although it originates from the eastern rather than the western states. Summer diners can enjoy the tree which shades a patio of outside tables.
Species details
Tulip Tree
Liriodendron tulipifera
Where to find it
Tilgate Park, Tilgate Drive, Crawley RH10 5PQ
///reform.zebra.fails | 51.095151, -0.178887
Tulip tree notes
Tulip trees are flamboyant; nothing compares to them in the realm of commonly encountered trees (similar but rare Chinese tulip tree are occasional) and old trees may engender awe in their beholders. They have distinctive blunt leaves, conspicuous tulip-like flowers, good autumnal colour and can become enormous old characters, so it is unsurprising they are held in high regard by many.
They arrived in Britain and Ireland from North America sometime in the 17th century, and so there are now a good smattering of veterans lurking in odd corners. Many specimens develop burry trunks often with low branches which enable the curious to examine those flowers closely in May. They are worth smelling – at a certain point they emit a heady scent akin to American cream soda.
