Yellow Poplar (Tulipwood / American Tulipwood)
Liriodendron tulipifera · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America (widespread throughout eastern United States and parts of southern Ontario)
- Hardness
- 540 lbf (Soft to Medium-Soft for a hardwood)
- Durability
- Non-durable to Slightly Durable. Poor rot resistance and susceptible to insect attack if left untreated outdoors.
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Grain Pattern
Straight, fine-textured grain with mild flat-sawn cathedral patterns visible in the central growth rings.
Color & Appearance
Pale creamy white sapwood with light olive-greenish to grayish-tan heartwood undertones. Color typically darkens to brown/amber with age and light exposure.
Hardness (Janka)
540 lbf (Soft to Medium-Soft for a hardwood)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable to Slightly Durable. Poor rot resistance and susceptible to insect attack if left untreated outdoors.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $2.50 - $4.50 per board foot depending on grade, board width, and regional market.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently surfaced lumber stock (likely processed within 1-5 years), showing minimal oxidation or age-related color change.
- Sustainability Status
- IUCN Least Concern. Highly sustainable, abundant, widely harvested in certified sustainable forests, and not CITES restricted.
Common Uses
Interior furniture frames, painted cabinetry, interior trim/moulding, millwork, plywood core stock, drawer sides, and general utility woodworking.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (widespread throughout eastern United States and parts of southern Ontario)
Workability
Exceptionally easy to work with hand and power tools. Glues, sands, and takes nails/screws easily. Soft nature can occasionally cause fuzzy surfaces during machining if cutters are dull.
Finish Recommendations
Takes paint and clear film-building finishes (polyurethane, lacquer, shellac) very well. If staining, a pore sealer or conditioner is recommended to prevent blotchiness.
Notable Features
Lightweight, uniform texture, low odor, non-toxic, excellent dimensional stability once dried, absorbs paint and finishes uniformly.
