Family: Magnoliaceae
Latin Name: Liriodendron tulipifera.
Origin: Poplar’s native range includes southern Ontario to Illinois, eastward to southwestern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and continues south to Central Florida and Louisiana.
Common Names: Tulip Tree, American Tulip Tree, Tulipwood, Whitewood, Fiddle Tree, Yellow Poplar.
The Tree (characteristics): The Yellow Poplar tree typically grows 60 to 90 feet tall with a trunk that is 4 to 6 feet in diameter. The leaves are sharply pointed and triangular or egg-shaped. They can be either glossy green or yellow in color. As the tree matures, the color of the bark will darken and become rough or fissured.
Appearance of Wood: Sapwood is white with occasional striping. The heartwood is tan but has been known to range from a greenish-brown color to dark green, purple, black, blue, and yellow. Yellow poplar is uniform in texture with a straight grain.
Density: Poplar is moderate to lightweight. It is considered hardwood but the wood itself is not very hard and is easily scratched or dented. Average reported specific gravity ranges from .40 to .46 with an average dried weight of 29 pounds per cubic foot. Janka Hardness is 540 pounds of force.
Drying and Shrinkage: Poplar wood contains chemicals called tannins making the wood more stable and less prone to warping. Poplar tends to be a fast-drying wood. Average reported shrinkage values are 4.6% radial, 8.2% tangential, 12.7% volumetric.
Working Properties: In general, Yellow poplar is easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Cutting edges should be sharp since the wood tends to burn. The wood turns, glues, and finishes well. When staining yellow poplar, clear finished may require toner to balance the color variations of the wood that range from yellow to green.
Durability: Yellow poplar has good resistance to decay and insect damage. Due to the softness of the poplar, it is easily scratched, dented, or damaged.
Uses: Yellow poplar can be used for furniture, trim, toys, and cabinets. The wood is also used to make pallets, crates, pulpwood, and plywood.
Availability: Yellow Poplar is readily available and is abundant throughout its eastern range. The lumber may become less available further west away from its native range.