(Liriodendron tilippifera) A tall North American timber tree having truncate, somewhat lobed leaves and large tuliplike yellow and orange flowers in early summer. Its soft white wood called whitewood, poplar, or yellow poplar) is used for cabinetwork. In l834 Prince Alexander Philip Maximilian of Prussia wrote that he saw these tall trees reflected in the unruffled surface of the canal waters in Akron. With the Sycamore, it was the most popular shade tree in yards.