The tulip tree was introduced into Britain by Charles I's head gardener, John Tradescant, in the 17th Century.
Here, in Britain, it has never really progressed beyond being used occasionally as an ornamental tree, but in its native North America many uses have been found for its timber. Red-Indians used to use it to make canoes, by burrowing through its trunk, while more recently its wood has been used for making kitchen furniture.