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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Certified Source
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Light-Induced Color Change
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Resistance to Splitting
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Substitutes
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities
Weathering

Scientific Name
Liriodendron tulipifera

Trade Name
Yellow poplar

Family Name
Magnoliaceae

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Common Names
American tulipwood, American whitewood, Blue poplar, Canadian whitewood, Canary whitewood, Canary wood, Canoe wood, Green cypress, Hickory poplar, Poplar, Popple, Saddle tree, Saddletree, Tulip poplar, Tuliptree, Tulipwood, Virginian poplar, White poplar, Whitewood, Yellow poplar, Yellow-wood

Regions of Distribution
North America

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Canada, United States

Common Uses
Baskets, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Coffins, Concealed parts (Furniture), Cooperages, Core Stock, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Door, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Drawing boards, Drum sticks, Excelsior, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Food containers, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marquetry, Millwork, Moldings, Musical instruments , Musical instruments, Musical instruments: piano, Office furniture, Organ pipes, Paneling , Paneling, Particleboard, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Shingles, Sporting Goods, Toys, Turnery, Veneer

Environmental Profile
Vulnerable
Rather secure globally
Rather rare at the periphery of its range
Rare in parts of its natural range (population is at risk)
Generally widespread, secure, and abundant within most of its range
Generally secure within its natural habitat
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center
Data source is Nature Conservancy
Abundant

The species is officially classified as Extinct in Vermont, and is Rare in Ontario, Canada

Distribution Overview
Yellow-poplar grows throughout the Eastern United States from southern New England, west through southern Ontario and Michigan, south to Louisiana, then east to north-central Florida. It is most abundant and reaches its largest size in the valley of the Ohio River and on the mountain slopes of North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The Appalachian Mountains and adjacent Piedmont running south from Pennsylvania to Georgia contained 75 percent of all yellow-poplar growing stock in 1974. Yellow-poplar thrives on many soil types with various physical properties, chemical composition, and parent material. Within the major portion of the range of yellow-poplar, these soils fall in soil orders Inceptisols and Ultisols. Exceptionally good growth has been observed on alluvial soils bordering streams, on loam soils of mountain coves, on talus slopes below cliffs and bluffs, and on well-watered, gravelly soils. In general, where yellow-poplar grows naturally and well, the soils are moderately moist, well drained, and loose textured; it rarely does well in very wet or very dry situations.

Heartwood Color
Brown
Red
Purple
Black
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Brown
Greenish to greyish
Purple
Pale red to pink
Dark brown
Pale brown
White to cream

The heartwood is described as pale-olive green to brown, or clear yellow to tan or greenish brown. It usually has blue-colored streaks or shades of purple, dark green, blue and black

Sapwood Color
Pink
Brown
Green/Grey
White to yellow
Different than heartwood

The narrow sapwood (old-growth) is described as whitish or creamy, usually variegated or striped

Grain
Straight
Figure
Growth rings (figure)
Even
Variable (figure)
Rays (figure)
Other (figure)
Weak (figure)

Straight
Clear growth rings (figure)
Variable figure
Weak figure
Rays figure
Other figure

The wood occasionally has an attractive blister figure

Texture
Coarse
Medium
Fine
Fine to medium
Even textured


Luster
Low
Lustrous


Natural Durability
Very durable
Resistant to marine borers
Resistant to termites
Susceptible to insect attack
Durable
Resistant to powder post beetles
Non-resistant to marine borers
Non-resistant to termites
Non durable
Sapwood is vulnerable to attack by furniture beetles
Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack

Yellow poplar has little or no natural resistance to attack by decay causing fungi and other wood destroying insects

Weathering
Excellent


Odor
No specific smell or taste


Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


Toxicity
Some toxic effects


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a slow speed
Drying (speed) is fast


Drying Defects
Splitting
Checking
Distortion
Slight twist/warp

Defects such as mold and sapwood stains may develop if the wood is dried slowly. Moderate kiln schedules are recommended. Wetwood may contribute to honeycomb and water pockets (rare)

Ease of Drying
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Slowly
Easy
Moderate
Air dries and kiln dries slowly with minimal degrade


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries slowly
Slow
Drying rate is slow


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is cylindrical
Bole/stem form is straight


Tree Size
Sapwood width is 5-10 cm
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm
Tree height is 50-60 m
Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm
Tree height is 40-50 m
Bole length is 20-30 m
Sapwood width is 0-5 cm
Tree height is 0-10 m
Tree height is 10-20 m
Tree height is 30-40 m
Tree height is 20-30 m
Bole length is 10-20 m
Bark width is 15-20 mm
Bark width is 10-15 mm
Sapwood width is 10-15 cm
Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm
Trunk diameter is 250-300 cm
Trunk diameter is 300-350 cm


The tree is described as one of the tallest and most beautiful of eastern hardwoods. It usually has a long, straight stem, measuring about 80 to 120 feet (24 to 37 m) high, with a trunk diameter of 24 to 36 inches (60 to 90 cm)

Product Sources
Yellow poplar is readily available in lumber and veneer form, and is priced in the inexpensive range.

Certified Source
Certified Source


Substitutes
Obeche (Triplochiton scleroxylon) and Canelo (Nectandra sp.)

Planing properties of Ekop (Tetraberlinia tubmaniana) are also similar.

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

The freshly cut wood is light yellow to brown, but it turns greenish upon exposure

Blunting Effect
High to severe
Moderate


Boring
Fairly difficult to very difficult
Good (75+ pieces out of 100 will yield good to excellent results)
Easy


Carving
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Very good results


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw


The wood has low cutting resistance.

Gluing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Easy to glue
Excellent gluing properties


Mortising
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Good mortising properties
Finishes well

Percent of mortised pieces with fair to excellent results = 63

Moulding
Poor to Very Poor Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Weathering properties are very poor

Number of good to excellent moulded pieces out of one hundred = 13

Movement in Service
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement
Unstable with Poor Stability - Large Movement
Stable

Seasoned wood is dimensionally stable

Nailing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Pre-Boring Recommended
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Nails hold poorly
Holds nails well
Good nailing properties

Number of pieces free from complete splits out of one hundred = 77

Planing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Planes to a satisfactory finish

Yellow poplar responds well to most tools, and is rather easy to work. (Percent of planed pieces without any defects = 70)

Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Softwood can be easily treated
Heartwood is moderately resistant


Resistance to Splitting
Good
Excellent


Response to Hand Tools
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Easy to Work
Easy to machine
Responds well


Routing & Recessing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Sanding
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very poor sanding properties
Poor results

Number of pieces with good to excellent sanded surfaces out of one hundred = 19

Screwing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Pre-boring recommended
Fair screwing qualities (expect < 70% of screwed pieces to be free from complete splits)

Percent of screwed pieces free from complete splits = 67

Turning
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Easy to turn
Good results

Number of fair to excellent pieces out of one hundred = 81

Veneering Qualities
Easy to cut
Suitable for peeling
No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting


Steam Bending
Poor to Very Poor Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Poor
Good

Number of unbroken pieces out of one hundred = 58

Painting
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Good results

The wood takes paint well

Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Satisfactory results
Poor results
Good results


Staining
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Finish is generally good
Good staining propeties
Finish is generally satisfactory

Different colored streaks which are normally found in the heartwood may interfere with natural finishes. They do not, however, have any effect on the physical properties of the wood

Varnishing
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Takes varnish well


Strength Properties
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Work to Maximum Load = very low
Max. crushing strength = low
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Max. crushing strength = medium
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Bending strength (MOR) = very low
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength58119435psi
Crushing Strength265490psi
Density29lbs/ft3
Hardness432lbs
Impact Strength2523inches
Maximum Crushing Strength27995295psi
Shearing Strength1045psi
Stiffness122515061000 psi
Work to Maximum Load68inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.360.38
Weight3328lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage7%
Volumetric Shrinkage12%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength408663kg/cm2
Crushing Strength1834kg/cm2
Density464kg/m3
Hardness195kg
Impact Strength6358cm
Maximum Crushing Strength196372kg/cm2
Shearing Strength73kg/cm2
Stiffness861051000 kg/cm2
Work to Maximum Load0.420.56cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.360.38
Weight528448kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage7%

References
Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Hardwoods - Temperate and Tropical. USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

Brown, H.P. and Panshin, A.J.,1940,Commercial Timbers of the United States Their structure, identification,,properties and uses,McGraw-Hill, London

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World: - No.7 North America,TRADA

California Department of Forestry. Comparative Physical & Mechanical Properties of Western & Eastern Hardwoods. Prepared by Forest Products Laboratory, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California. n/d.

Clifford, N.,1953,Commercial Hardwoods - Their Characteristics Identification and,Utilization,Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London

Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London

Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO

Harrar, E.S.,1942,Some Physical Properties of Modern Cabinet Woods 3. Directional and Volume,Shrinkage,Tropical Woods,9(71, pp26-32

HMSO, 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed.

I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting

Jackson, A. and D. Day. 1991. Good Wood Handbook - The Woodworker's Guide to Identifying, Selecting and Using the Right Wood. Betterway Publications, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kaiser, J. 1990. Wood of the Month: Yellow poplar - The Forgiving Wood. Wood and Wood Products, June, 1990. Page 34.

Kline, M. 1981. Liriodendron tulipifera - Yellow-poplar. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 211.

Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12

Kukachka, B.F.,1962,Characters of Some Imported Woods,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Foreign Wood Series,No.2242

Little, E.L. 1980. The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Western Region. Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York.

Markwardt, L.J., Wilson, T.R.C.,1935,Strength and related properties of woods grown in the United States,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture Technical Bulletin,No.479

Panshin, A.J. and C. deZeeuw. Textbook of Wood Technology. McGraw-Hill Series in Forest Resources. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York.

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press

Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London

Stone, H.,1924,The Timbers of Commerce and their Identification,William Rider & Sons Ltd. London

Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd.

Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition

U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72

USDA. 1987. Wood Handbook : Wood as an Engineering Material. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook No. 72. Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

USDA. 1988. Dry Kiln Operators Manual, Preliminary Copy. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

Vick, C.B.,1973,American Woods - Yellow Poplar,USDA, Forest Service american woods FS-272

Wangaard, F.F., et al,1954,Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods 4,Tropical Woods,14(99, pp1-187

Wolcott, G.N.,1950,An Index to the Termite Resistance of Woods,Agricultural Experimental Station, University of Puerto Rico Bulletin,No.85









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