Yellow Poplar

Liriodendron tulipifera.

Yellow Poplar grows widely and in large quantities across the eastern United States. Therefore, it is used for a great variety of products and applications. The sapwood of Yellow Poplar ranges from light yellow to white. The heartwood varies in contrast with colors ranging from tan to light brown and even greenish brown. Poplar has an even but diffuse grain pattern. It is extremely stable, relatively stiff, and rather lightweight.

Poplar is widely known for its ease in manufacturing and moulding, stability after manufacturing, and for the fact that it stains, paints, and finishes extremely well.

General Information

Uses Availability Price
Furniture and furniture parts, mouldings, picture frames, cabinets and window frames (especially when painted). Widely available in thicknesses 4/4 through 10/4, limited availability 16/4 and thicker. Low to moderate.

Relative Working Properties

Machining Resistance to splitting in nailing Resistance to splitting in screwing Gluing
Very Good Excellent Good Excellent

Physical Properties

Specific gravity (12% m.c.) Average shipping weight kilograms (kg) per cubic metre (m3) air dry Average volumetric shrinkage (oven dry % of green) Modulus of rupture (kilopascals) Modulus of elasticity (megapascals) Side hardness (newtons)
0.42 488 12.7 70000 10900 2400
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