The paved West Drive climbs through large boulders and is shaded by a diversity of trees including this large yellow poplar with sprouts of linden and basswood surrounding its base. The poplar is above a park playground in the ravine.
Yellow-poplar is the tallest hardwood tree in North America with one of the most perfectly straight trunks in the forest. The tree has a very unique leaf with four lobes separated by rounded notches. The showy flower is tulip-like (or lily-like) which supports the alternate name of tulip poplar. The soft and light wood was hollowed out by early American settlers to use as canoes. Today's wood is used for furniture and pallets. Read more about: Yellow-poplar
