Yellow Poplar (Tulipwood / Tulip Poplar)
Liriodendron tulipifera · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 540 lbf (Soft)
- Durability
- Slightly Durable to Non-durable with moderate to low resistance to rot and insect attack.
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Grain Pattern
Straight to medium-straight grain with a fine, uniform texture.
Color & Appearance
Sapwood is creamy white and can be wide, while the heartwood is light to dark brown with occasional streaks of green, purple, red, black, or yellow. The wood tends to darken to a deep brown upon exposure to UV light over time.
Hardness (Janka)
540 lbf (Soft)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Slightly Durable to Non-durable with moderate to low resistance to rot and insect attack.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 3.00 to 6.00 USD per board foot
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently milled lumber, approximately 1 to 3 years old based on surface oxidation and minimal patina.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices, evaluated as Least Concern by the IUCN, widely available and sustainably harvested in North America.
Common Uses
Interior trim, cabinetry, framing, furniture, plywood, puzzles, and general utility construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Exceptional workability with both hand and machine tools. It planes, cuts, and bores cleanly, though care must be taken with dull tools to avoid fuzzy surfaces. Glues, stains, and paints exceptionally well.
Finish Recommendations
Takes paints, stains, and varnishes exceptionally well. Because of its greenish undertones and tendency to blotch with dark stains, a sanding sealer or pre-stain conditioner is often recommended when staining to a uniform darker color.
Notable Features
Features distinct multicolored mineral streaks in the heartwood. It is dimensionally stable once dry, lightweight, and relatively strong for its weight.
