In a celebration of local stewardship, Baltimore announced the Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) as the city’s new official tree, ending a 50‑year run by the invasive Callery pear. The decision came after a public voting process that drew roughly 2,000 participants, including 1,500 city residents, between April 27 and June 6.
Why the change matters
The Callery pear, also known as the Chanticleer or Bradford pear, proved costly to maintain and produced flowers with an odor many described as resembling rotting fish. Though once praised for its rapid growth and attractive foliage, foresters later discovered its invasive tendencies and high maintenance needs, prompting Baltimore to stop planting it about two decades ago.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott highlighted the symbolism of the new tree: “Baltimore is a city that is always growing, changing and looking toward the future, and our urban forest should be no different.” The Tuliptree, a native species prized for its size, fast growth, and pleasant fragrance, aligns with the city’s goal of a healthier, more resilient environment.
Community involvement
The selection process was intentionally community‑driven. Baltimore’s Forestry Division invited residents to nominate trees online and at an in‑person ballot box during a winter gathering. Participants shared personal stories and reasons for their choices, with one resident calling the American sycamore a “sentinel of the stream” and another quoting Walt Whitman’s poem that praises the Tuliptree as “the Apollo of the woods.”
Urban forester Stephanie Helms explained, “We really wanted to see what resonated in the hearts and minds of residents of Baltimore.” After tallying nominations and applying criteria—large shade potential, native status, pest resistance, and climate resilience—the six finalists were presented for a vote.
Benefits of the Tuliptree
The Tuliptree offers several ecological advantages. It can reach heights of up to 200 feet and live for three centuries, providing extensive canopy cover. Its flowers produce nectar for pollinators, and its broad leaves offer shelter for raccoons, squirrels, insects, and the iconic Baltimore oriole. Unlike its predecessor, the Tuliptree’s blossoms emit a pleasant scent, a point noted by Helms during the unveiling.
Because of its size, the Tuliptree is better suited for park plantings rather than narrow street corridors. The city plans to begin integrating the species into new park projects starting in 2027, complementing the broader TreeBaltimore initiative that aims to raise the city’s tree canopy from the current 28 % to 40 % by 2037.
Looking ahead
Beyond planting new trees, Baltimore will conduct a comprehensive tree inventory to update data on existing canopy and identify opportunities for expansion. Helms emphasized the challenges many cities face—climate change, storm damage, heat stress, and limited planting space—but praised Baltimore’s progress, noting that more than 60,000 trees have been planted since the program’s inception in 2007.
The Tuliptree’s selection reflects a broader commitment to native, climate‑smart landscaping that supports both the environment and the quality of life for families, faith communities, and all residents who call Baltimore home.
Original reporting: Baltimore Fishbowl — read the source article.
