Yellow Poplar
Liriodendron tulipifera • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, uniform grain with a medium to fine texture. Exhibits a flat-sawn cathedral pattern on the wider face; very rarely figured.
Color Description
Heartwood is light cream to yellowish-brown, with characteristic streaks of olive green or dark purple/black. Sapwood is pale yellow to white. It darkens from green/yellow to a medium brown with exposure to UV light.
Hardness Rating
540 lbf (Soft)
Durability Rating
Non-durable to slightly durable; susceptible to insect attack and rot if used in exterior conditions without treatment.
Common Uses
Furniture frames, cabinetry (especially painted), interior trim, plywood, pallets, crates, and paper pulp.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$2.50 - $4.50 per board foot
Wood Age Estimate
Modern stock; the clean surface and sharp mechanical profile suggest recent milling from kiln-dried lumber.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and not CITES listed; frequently FSC certified.
Workability
Excellent. One of the easiest hardwoods to work with. It planes, sands, and glues well, though it can be slightly fuzzy if tools aren't sharp.
Notable Features
Distinctive green hue in the heartwood which is unique to this species; relatively light weight for a hardwood; very faint 'sweet' odor when being worked.
Finish Recommendations
Takes paint and industrial coatings exceptionally well. If staining, a pre-stain conditioner is recommended to prevent blotching. Lacquer or polyurethane are standard for clear coats.
Identification Confidence
High; the dramatic olive-green heartwood transition to light sapwood on a straight-grained diffuse-porous board is a diagnostic hallmark of Poplar.