Woodworker's Journal 2008-32-1, страница 56

Blue-collar Hardwood

By Rob Johnstone

Yello w poplar (not really a poplar) will never win any hardwood beauty contests, but with its reasonable price, easy-to-work nature and durable characteristics, it has long been a hardworking shop favorite.

^uHey, what are you making with that green wood?" asked one of my customers standing in my small cabinet shop many years ago. His question caused me to look at him askance — because I knew well that all of my stock was kiln dried. Then a lightbulb flickered on.

"Oh ... that's yellow poplar, I use a lot of it."

"Huh — looks green to me," he replied.

(>m Etvnt Kim In Ku ft CWAM trirufi'rrftmmann nq(

And he was right. Green and even bluish hues are not uncommon on patches of yellow poplar lumber. Its generally creamy-tan color varies a good deal, and no one will ever choose poplar for its figure or grain, which are — well, boring. But yellow poplar may be the most popular hardwood never seen. Used in untold numbers of upholstered furniture pieces and as the carcass components of cabinets, its strength and easy-to-work nature are the keys to yellow poplar's versatility.

I've talked to many woodworkers who have told me they have stained yellow poplar and applied a top coat, and

to their eyes it "... looked exactly like walnut" (or cherry,

lltf Iknr <Mrdrns Arrkni. Iknr <«lnisnt. uwmtomrrmwffls "ty

One look at the yellow poplar's blossoms explains one of its common names, the tuliptree.

A giant of the Eastern hardwood forests, yellow or tulip poplars prefer moist soft soil to grow their best.

Not a true poplar, the tree was misnamed because its leaves were similar to other actual poplars ... such as the cottonwood.

Hna« l/xkhart USDA hntnt Srrrtct. wa tt (urntrnmagn orf

ftml IVrajr. Iowa Slatr l.'mirnily tnntfamlrnmafn <>m