Wood species

Poplar

Liriodendron tulipifera · Magnoliaceae

The paint-grade workhorse and the value pick, not a true poplar at all but Liriodendron, the tulip tree, whose 6 to 8 ft trunks are why poplar tops come so wide for the money.

Janka hardness: 540 lbf
Density: 29.0 lb/ft³
Shrinkage T / R: 8.2 / 4.6 %
Origin: Eastern United States
IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Shop Poplar in stock (29)All live edge slabs

(Pre-Built) Poplar Live Edge Tabletop #PB199 187" x 43" - 47" x 2.0" — overhead view — Oak City Customs

Pictured: (Pre-Built) Poplar Live Edge Tabletop #PB199 187" x 43" - 47" x 2.0"

About Poplar

Poplar heartwood is light cream to yellowish brown, sometimes streaked gray or green, and it darkens with exposure to light. Grain is straight and uniform with a medium texture and low luster, and mineral stained boards can run purple, red or green. It is soft for a hardwood, so edges can fuzz under the sander and it dents more easily than oak or maple; sanding to a finer grit gets a smooth surface. Poplar is honest paint-grade stock: it takes paint and dye well and makes a sound top where budget matters more than figure. It suits painted tables, benches, and shop or utility tops. Ours is milled and kiln dried in Zebulon, NC.

Working & finishing

Very easy to work in almost all regards; softness is its one real downside. Its low density can leave fuzzy surfaces and edges during shaping and sanding, so sand to finer grits for a smooth face. Poplar is paint-grade: it takes paint and dye well, and a clear finish will show the color darken with light. A film finish or paint hides seasonal hairline movement better than oil.

Care

Wipe spills promptly and clean with a damp cloth. Poplar dents under hard use, so use cutting boards and trivets and expect marks over time. Keep it indoors and out of wet service; touch up paint or film finish as wear shows.

In stock now