Yello Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
General Information/History | Wood Identification | Working Properties | Uses in Woodworking | Cost & Availability
The do-everything wood that's priced right. Ask a forester familiar with eastern hardwoods about yellow poplar, and he'll talk about tuliptree. And when a New England architect specifies whitewood, he most likely means yellow poplar. Talk to a lumberman about yellow poplar, though, and you'll both speak the same language because this tree represents the most valuable commercial species of the eastern forests.
Even before the first settlers arrived, New York's Onondaga Indians were very familiar with "the white tree." From its easily worked pale wood, they made canoes and utensils. When colonists arrived, the newcomers learned to craft what they soon called yellow poplar into everything from berry baskets and boxes to trim and furniture.
Today, the wood remains just as versatile. No other species can match yellow poplar's variety of uses. It becomes construction lumber; moldings, plywood cores, drawer sides, matches, piano and organ actions, containers, paper, woodenware, furniture parts, and even caskets.
Yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) shares the family tree with magnolia. But because of its relatively softwood, a trait that resembles the true poplars like eastern cottonwood and the aspens, it long ago gained association with these trees.
Growing to its greatest size in the southern Appalachian Mountains, yellow poplar reaches heights of 150' and diameters greater than 8'. Frequently, these forest trees will be clear of branches for the first 80' to 100'!
In its range, yellow poplar prefers to grow singly among pines and other hardwoods, rather than in pure stands. But you'll have little trouble recognizing this tree. The sometimes 2"-thick, gray-brown bark of mature trees has deep furrows between its ridges. Summer brings yellow poplar's greenish-yellow, tuliplike blooms among the tree's glossy, saddle-shaped leaves. In winter, yellow poplar's inedible, conical fruit remains on its branches.
At about 28 pounds per cubic foot dry, the wood of yellow poplar weighs two-thirds as much as black walnut. It's also about half as strong and hard. However, the medium-textured wood is straight-grained. Although the yellow poplar sapwood has a creamy tone, its heartwood ranges in color from tan to gold, often with streaks of blue, gray, and purple. These highlights make up for the wood's otherwise plain grain.
With strength sufficient for most projects, good stiffness, stability, and wear resistance, it can become furniture, trim, toys, and cabinets. For bowls and treenware, it carries no odor or taste. Unless you're going to paint your project, though, limit yellow poplar's use to indoors.
Abundant throughout its eastern range, yellow poplar becomes less available farther west. Where you find it, expect widths up to 20", thicknesses to 3" or more, lengths to 16', and a cost of about $2 per board foot, even when surfaced. Only lumber is sold.
Some woodworkers prefer the often striking colors of yellow poplar's heartwood. (Deep blue or purple streaks indicate mineral stains, a coloration that does not harm the wood.) If you prefer less colorful variation in your stock, specify sapwood or pick through the boards at your supplier for those of uniform tone.
