Trees

Liriodendron tulipifera 'Little Volunteer'

Little Volunteer tulip tree

Little Volunteer tulip tree foliage detail. Photo: John Grimshaw / Trees and Shrubs Online, CC BY-SA 4.0

A smaller-growing tulip tree with scaled-down leaves and a pyramidal to broadly conical crown. Green summer foliage turns golden yellow in autumn. Yellow flowers with orange markings appear after the leaves expand and can be partly hidden high in the branches.

At a glance

Sun: Full sun to part sun
Size: Height: About 20–23 ft. · Width: About 13–16 ft.
Water: Moist to average; well-drained soil
Hardiness: USDA zone 5 minimum
Bloom: Yellow and orange; late spring

Sizes & prices

#25Super Compact Dwarf Tulip Popular$299.99

Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.

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Landscape use & tree form

Use: Ornamental specimen
Major issues: Aphid honeydew, scale and Verticillium wilt may occur; branches can break in strong wind or ice.
Fruit / litter: Cone-like clusters release winged seeds; leaves, flowers and twigs also fall.
Growth rate: Species guidance: rapid; cultivar and growing conditions may differ.
Form: Pyramidal to broadly conical crown.

Resistance & tolerances

Deer: Resistant, not deer-proof
Rabbits: Listed as resistant
Drought: Sensitive to drought and heat; dry summers can cause yellowing and premature leaf drop.
Wet soil: Parent-species guidance: Occasional wetness tolerated; this does not imply permanent flooding tolerance.

Resistance is not a guarantee; deer and rabbits may browse any plant.

Pollinators & wildlife

Attracts: Bees, Hummingbirds
Caterpillar host: Swallowtail
Evidence: Species-level guidance; cultivar habitat value varies.

Native range

Native range / parentage: Cultivar/selection of a species native to eastern North America. Cultivated selection of a Kentucky-native species; not wild local stock.
Tristate native status: Cultivated selection of a Kentucky-native species; not wild local stock.

Seasonal interest

Foliage: Deciduous
Fall color: Golden yellow

Growing & care

Pruning: Establish one strong leader and well-spaced scaffold branches while young; assess weak or damaged limbs after storms.
Soil: Moist, well-drained; brief dry periods tolerated

Sources & photo credits

NVK Nurseries

University of Minnesota Extension

NC State Extension

horticulture.mgcafe.uky.edu

Photo: John Grimshaw / Trees and Shrubs Online, CC BY-SA 4.0; resized for web without enlargement. · CC BY-SA 4.0

Image notes: Little Volunteer tulip tree foliage detail. Photo: John Grimshaw / Trees and Shrubs Online, CC BY-SA 4.0; resized for web without enlargement.

Reviewed September 22, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.