Wood Species Poplar American

Poplar – American – whitewood – yellow poplar – tulip poplar

North America
Hardwood
Non-durable

American Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), commonly known as Tulipwood, Yellow Poplar or Whitewood, is a lightweight to medium-density hardwood native to eastern North America. Despite its common name, it is not a true poplar but a member of the magnolia family. The wood typically ranges in colour from pale creamy yellow to light greenish-brown, sometimes with streaks of grey or purple. It has a fine, even texture with a generally straight grain, is easy to machine, and offers good dimensional stability, although it is relatively soft and not highly durable in exposed conditions.

In the timber industry, American poplar is widely used for furniture components, interior joinery, mouldings, panelling and plywood manufacture. It is also commonly used in utility applications such as packaging, pallets, core stock for engineered panels and painted furniture, where a smooth, stable and inexpensive hardwood is required. Because it takes paint and finishes very well, it is often chosen for concealed or painted structural components in cabinetry and interior construction.

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