Species guide

American tulipwood

Latin name

Liriodendron tulipifera

Other Common names

Yellow poplar (USA), tulip poplar (USA), canary whitewood

Distribution

Widespread throughout Eastern USA.

General Description

The sapwood is creamy white and may be streaked with the heartwood varying from pale yellowish brown to olive green. The green colour 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. The size of the sapwood and some physical characteristics will vary according to growing regions. The wood has many desirable characteristics and is suitable for a wide variety of important uses. The tulipwood tree resembles the shape of the European poplar, hence its name in USA.

Working Properties

A versatile timber that is easy to machine, plane, turn, glue and bore. It dries easily with minimal movement in performance and has little tendency to split when nailed. It takes and holds paint, enamel and stain exceptionally well.

Physical Properties

A medium density wood with low bending, shock resistance, stiffness and compression values, with a medium steam bending classification.

Durability

Non-resistant to decay, heartwood is moderately resistant to preservative treatment, sapwood is permeable.

Availability

USA:
Very widely available.

Export:
Widely available in a full range of standard thicknesses and specifications.

Main Uses

Light construction, furniture, interior joinery, kitchen cabinets, doors, panelling, mouldings, edged-glued panels, plywood (USA), turning and carving.

Grading

Widely known as yellow or tulip poplar in the USA. Burls and swirls in the grain are a common occurrence and are not considered a defect. A heavy purple-bluish mineral concentration is not permitted in the FAS grade. It is becoming more readily available in fixed widths. Because the common grades are generally painted or stained in finishing, the wood is permitted to be a light grey colour after surfacing.

Technical statistics

Specific Gravity (12% M.C.):	0.42
Average Weight (12% M.C.):	449 kg/m3
Average Volume Shrinkage (Green to 6% M.C.):	9.80%
Modulus of Elasticity:	10,894 MPa
Hardness:	2402 N