Yellow poplar trees grow taller than any other U.S. hardwood species and they are members of the magnolia family. The bark, leaves, flowers, fruit, and roots contain pharmaceuticals. Poplar is the state tree of Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Where it Grows
Widespread throughout Eastern U.S. Tree heights can reach 150 feet.
Relative Abundance
11.2 percent of total U.S. hardwoods commercially available.
General Description
The sapwood is creamy white and may be streaked, with the heartwood varying from pale yellowish brown to olive green. The green color in the heartwood will tend to darken on exposure to light and turn brown. The wood has a medium to fine texture and is straight-grained; has a comparatively uniform texture.
Physical Properties
A medium density wood with low bending, shock resistance, stiffness and compression values, with a medium steam-bending classification. Excellent strength and stability.
Technical Specs
- Specific Gravity: 0.59
- Density: 28 lbs / cu.ft.
- Side hardness: 540 lbs
- Radial Shrinkage: 3.2%
- Tangential Shrinkage: 5.7%
- Volumetric Shrinkage 9.8%
Density
Medium to soft
- Texture: medium, fairly fine and uniform
- Color: light brown with greenish hue
- Stability: moderate to good
- Durability: moderate
- Grain: straight
- Appearance: growth rings distinct to indistinct, heartwood pale olive brown to yellow brown, sapwood off-white to grayish white