SPECIES

Poplar - Tulipwood

Liriodendron tulipifera

American Tulipwood, commonly called Poplar, is a prolific hardwood native to North America, distinguished by its diverse color range and strength relative to weight. It is a sustainable resource and is ideal for various applications including furniture and construction.

REQUEST A QUOTE
POSB499-02
4/4 S&B Poplar
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Poplar features a creamy white sapwood and heartwood that can range from pale yellow to brown, and even green or purple. The wood darkens with time and exposure to UV light, turning green hues to brown. It has a straight grain with a medium to fine texture.

WORKABILITY

Poplar is easy to machine, plane, turn, and glue. It performs well in screwing, though pre-boring is recommended to prevent splitting. The wood stains and polishes to a high standard but may exhibit movement in humid conditions.

COMMON USES
  • Mouldings
  • Carving
  • Furniture
  • Doors
  • Paneling
  • Cabinets
  • Glulam Beams
  • Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)
GRADE OPTIONS

Clarity for all applications

Our Poplar comes in a variety of different grades. See below for images of our average pack of Poplar in the core three NHLA grades we offer. 

Select & Better
POSB499-02
4/4 SB Poplar
Layer 1 Top Face
POSB499-01
4/4 SB Poplar
Layer 1 Back Face
POSB499-03
4/4 SB Poplar
Layer 2 Top Face
POSB499-04
4/4 SB Poplar
Layer 2 Back Face
POSB499-05
4/4 SB Poplar
Layer 3 Top Face
POSB499-06
4/4 SB Poplar
Layer 3 Back Face
POSB499-07
4/4 SB Poplar
Layer 4 Top Face
POSB499-08
4/4 SB Poplar
Layer 4 Back Face
POSB499-09
4/4 SB Poplar
Layer 5 Top Face
POSB499-10
4/4 SB Poplar
Layer 5 Back Face
POSB499-11
4/4 SB Poplar
Layer 6 Top Face
POSB499-12
4/4 SB Poplar
Layer 6 Back Face

Specs

Min. Width: 4 in

Min. Length: 6 ft

Min. Clarity: 83.33% 

1 Common
PO1C499-01
4/4 1C Poplar
Layer 1 Top Face
PO1C499-02
4/4 1C Poplar
Layer 1 Back Face
PO1C499-03
4/4 1C Poplar
Layer 2 Top Face
PO1C499-04
4/4 1C Poplar
Layer 2 Back Face
PO1C499-05
4/4 1C Poplar
Layer 3 Top Face
PO1C499-06
4/4 1C Poplar
Layer 3 Back Face
PO1C499-07
4/4 1C Poplar
Layer 4 Top Face
PO1C499-08
4/4 1C Poplar
Layer 4 Back Face
PO1C499-09
4/4 1C Poplar
Layer 5 Top Face
PO1C499-10
4/4 1C Poplar
Layer 5 Back Face
PO1C499-11
4/4 1C Poplar
Layer 6 Top Face
PO1C499-12
4/4 1C Poplar
Layer 6 Back Face

Specs

Min. Width: 3 in

Min. Length: 4 ft

Min. Clarity: 66.66% 

2 Common
PO2C499-01
4/4 2C Poplar
Layer 1 Top Face
PO2C499-02
4/4 2C Poplar
Layer 1 Back Face
PO2C499-03
4/4 2C Poplar
Layer 2 Top Face
PO2C499-04
4/4 2C Poplar
Layer 2 Back Face
PO2C499-05
4/4 2C Poplar
Layer 3 Top Face
PO2C499-06
4/4 2C Poplar
Layer 3 Back Face
PO2C499-07
4/4 2C Poplar
Layer 4 Top Face
PO2C499-08
4/4 2C Poplar
Layer 4 Back Face
PO2C499-09
4/4 2C Poplar
Layer 5 Top Face
PO2C499-10
4/4 2C Poplar
Layer 5 Back Face
PO2C499-11
4/4 2C Poplar
Layer 6 Top Face
PO2C499-12
4/4 2C Poplar
Layer 6 Back Face

Specs

Min. Width: 3 in

Min. Length: 4 ft

Min. Clarity: 50% 

All Poplar Products We Offer

Grades Lengths (ft) Thicknesses  Color or Characteristic Sorts
Select & Better (S&B) 8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-16*

4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 8/4, 10/4*, 12/4*, 16/4*

 UNS
1 Common (1C) 4-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-16*

4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 8/4, 10/4*, 12/4*, 16/4*

 UNS
2 Common (2C) 4-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-16*

4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 8/4, 10/4*, 12/4*, 16/4*

 UNS

*Available upon request only

regional map - w names

Sourcing Regions

We typically source our Poplar (Tulipwood) from the  Appalachian, and  Northeastern  regions of the US which is the primary area that Poplar grows.

The American Hardwood Export Council has an excellent interactive map that can show you where different species grow in the US.

Click the link below and select the species "American Tulipwood" to see a map of how much of the US forest volume is Tulipwood. 

CHECK OUT THE MAP

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Additional Resources

EBOOK

Guide to Sustainable American Hardwoods

This publication combines AHEC’s guide to species and the guide to lumber grades in to a single illustrated and comprehensive guide to sustainable American hardwoods. The front half of the publication gives a full break down of the properties, applications, environmental credentials of the commercially available U.S. hardwood species. The back gives a simplified explanation of the NHLA grading system, which is the national standard for the U.S. hardwood lumber industry and forms the basis for export grading.

VIEW EBOOK
Guide to Sustainable American Hardwoods
GUIDE

American Tulipwood - AHEC Species Guide

Discover detailed info on material availability, mechanical properties, and more on the American Hardwood Export Council website. 

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