Poplar Wood Characteristics: Everything You Need to Know About Poplar
Poplar wood is a hardwood species that comes from the tuliptree, which grows abundantly in the United States and Eastern Canada. Poplar is used in making cabinets, millwork, toys, and other crafts. But, unlike most other hardwood species, it is too soft for use in most furniture applications or flooring.
Learn everything you need to know about the unique characteristics and attributes of poplar hardwood. Find out about the color variations, grain pattern, the density of poplar – and more. And, see why poplar is the preferred species of hardwood for some applications, and whether it is right for your project.
Your Total Guide to the Characteristics of Poplar Wood
Poplar wood is one of the softest hardwood species used by carpenters – which is to say it is less dense than that of other hardwood, like oak, walnut, or cherry. Since the wood comes from the tuliptree it is also referred to as tulipwood, tulip poplar, fiddle tree, whitewood – and more. The name “poplar,” actually derives from ancient Rome, wherein the tulip tree was planted near the most populated areas.
The greatest benefit of poplar is that it is one of the most affordable species of hardwood. There are two common varieties of poplar, which are yellow and white poplar. Today, it is most commonly used for such things as chopstix, manufactured plywood, and paper applications.
What is the Grain Pattern and Color of Poplar Hardwood?
Poplar wood is known for its white and cream-colored variations. The usable wood of poplar comes from the heartwood of the tuliptree, which becomes slightly more yellow over time. But, poplar can take on color variations, depending on the mineral composition that exists in its immediate environment.
Poplar is soft, with a spacious fiber structure. This allows the wood to soak up minerals like a sponge. When the wood soaks up different minerals it can take on streaks of different colors, like red, yellow, green, and blue. When this occurrence takes place in a piece of poplar, it is categorized as rainbow poplar and carries a slightly higher value for artisanal projects.
Poplar wood has a simple and clean grain pattern. Poplar is straight grain, giving it a uniform aesthetic. Since poplar does not have a distinctly beautiful or intricate grain pattern, it is valued for less per square foot than that of Ash, Maple, or other hardwoods with defined grain patterns.
What is Poplar Used for?
Traditionally, poplar is the perfect type of hardwood for building sea-faring vessels. Native American Indians used poplar for crafting canoes, and it is commonly used for shipping pallets, wood veneers, and other utilitarian uses. But, poplar is also easy to carve, which makes it perfect for wooden toys, coffins, picture frames, and other ornate wood items.
How Hard is Poplar Compared to Other Hardwood Species?
When considering the hardness or density of a wood species, its resistance to force is measured by the Janka scale. For context – one of the hardest of the hardwood species is Maple wood, with a Janka rating of around 1,400. White oak is slightly lower, with a rating of around 1,200, and Cherry wood is lower still, around 950 Janka.
Poplar hardwood has a Janka rating of 540, which is considerably lower than most hardwood species. The rating is found through a process, by which a small metal ball is systematically pressed into the surface of the wood until it is completely embedded. All the while, pressure readings are closely monitored by machine, resulting in an accurate rating for each species of hardwood.
Is Poplar a Good Choice for Your Project?
Poplar is not known for its aesthetic value – unless it is rainbow poplar. That being said, it is used all over the place, like the doors and window frames of your home or shed, and inside your home’s cabinets, drawers, and storage spaces. And, thanks to its porous fiber density, it takes extremely well to paint, wood stain, and liquid wood adhesives.
For utilitarian purposes, poplar is a great choice. It has the great benefit of costing significantly less than that of its hardwood counterparts because it is softer and less aesthetically striking. If you want more information on using poplar wood in your home, talk to a cabinetry associate for a free custom design consultation.