.

The Tulip Lawn Marquee takes its name from the beautiful tulip tree located on the lawn and stands in the region of 45 feet high. This tree was planted in the early 1700s by, it is believed, the botanist Mark Catesby, whose family lived locally. It is one of only two specimens of great age in the country, the other being in Kew Gardens, and as such is covered by a Preservation Order.

Originating in America, this unusual tree is known for its curiously shaped leaves, smelling of eucalyptus when crushed, and the small, pale green, tulip-shaped flowers which only appear on mature trees (they can take more than 20 years to appear). In the autumn, the leaves turn brilliant yellows and reds, eventually falling to reveal the corky bark.

This huge tree was once used solely for its timber and the Native Americans of the Appalachian Mountains used the tree to make dugout canoes, as well as for building houses. Massive logs were hollowed out and could carry up to 20 people at a time and so were indispensable.

Its stunning flowers, which can smell of cucumber, mean that it is now planted for aesthetic rather than industrial reasons but some gardeners underestimate the size of this monster. Given the right conditions, preferably deep moist soil, it can grow to a whopping 50 m (165 ft) in height.