Yellow Poplar (Tulipwood)
Liriodendron tulipifera • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, fine-textured, and uniform with occasional small knots or cathedral arches in flat-sawn sections
Color Description
Creamy white to yellowish sapwood; heartwood is typically light olive green to brown. It is known to darken to a brown/reddish-brown hue with light exposure.
Hardness Rating
540 lbf (Soft)
Durability Rating
Non-durable; low resistance to rot and insect attack, intended primarily for interior use
Common Uses
Cabinetry carcases, furniture frames, interior trim, pallets, crates, plywood, and paper pulp
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$2.50 to $4.50 per board foot
Wood Age Estimate
Modern millwork/lumber (0-5 years), showing fresh surfacing and minimal oxidation
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and not CITES restricted; commonly FSC certified
Workability
Excellent; very easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though it is prone to fuzzing if tools are not sharp; glues and finishes well
Notable Features
Faint sweet odor when being worked; relatively lightweight for a hardwood; often displays green streaks in the heartwood
Finish Recommendations
Primarily used for paint-grade applications; takes stain well but can be blotchy unless a sealer or wood conditioner is used
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of pale sapwood, greenish-tinted heartwood transition, and fine, diffuse-porous grain is characteristic of Liriodendron.