Yellow Poplar, Tulip Tree, Tulip Poplar... it's all the same tree. When farm land reverts to forest it is an indicator tree. They grow tall and straight as telephone poles and were used for that purpose. Since the death of the American Chestnut in the 30s, the tulip tree has become the dominant hardwood in the eastern forest. Not related to the poplar but a relative of the magnolias, in summer their yellow tulip shaped flowers can be seen blooming high in their branches. These fibrous structures are the remains of those flowers.