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Wood species

Poplar

Yellow poplar · Liriodendron tulipifera

Our domestic Poplar, also called Yellow Poplar or Tulip Poplar, is selected for it’s color and width, making this a premium choice amongst Poplars.

Poplar lumber at Fells Hardwood Supply in Hutto
Face grain · Fells Hardwood Supply, Hutto TX

Key facts

Janka hardness
LowAbout 540 lb — easy on tools; marks under abuse
Stability
AverageRadial ~4.6% · Tangential ~8.2% — normal furniture humidity care
Grain type
Straight & uniformModerate texture — disappears under paint
Rot resistance
Indoor useSold for interior projects
Sustainability
Unlisted / commonCITES and IUCN unlisted — abundant domestic stock
Workability
Very easyHand planes and machines cut cleanly — good for quick work

About this wood

Poplar is soft, light, and holds primer exceptionally well — the usual pick for painted cabinet parts and quick prototypes.

Heartwood can show cream, green, or gray streaks (sometimes called rainbow). Our packs are selected for color and width so you’re not fighting the wildest mineral runs on show faces you’ll leave unfinished.

What we carry

  • Poplar with mill Superior sorts (e.g. wider / cleaner packs) when available
  • Everyday poplar for prototypes and painted cabinet parts

Thickness is sold in quarters (4/4, 6/4, and so on) — see our hardwood thickness guide. Grades: NHLA grades.

Related woods

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