Scientific Name
Liriodendron tulipifera
Other Names
Canary wood, canoe wood, tuliptree, tulip poplar, whitewood, hickory poplar, white poplar
Family
Magnoliaceace, the magnolia family
Geography
Poplar can be found from southern New England to southern Michigan and south to central Louisiana and northern Florida.
Properties
Poplar is a light weight hardwood of fine texture. The heartwood is light yellow to brown and turns greenish upon exposure. The sapwood is creamy white and the grain is usually straight.
Workability
Poplar is easy to work with and takes paint very well. It does not hold nails well but glues easily and shrinks moderately.
Uses
There are a wide variety of uses for poplar. It is used for furniture, core stock for pianos, television cabinets and general cabinet work, boxes, crates, baskets, and woodenware. It is also used for shipping pallets and for carving. A small portion of poplar is made into paper.
Price Level
Widely available, lower price range
