Poplar for dimensional lumber?

[avalancher]

I got a job to fell a number of trees, including half a dozen large poplar. I was going to saw them into lumber on my small mill, but I noticed in a post somewhere on here that someone said that poplar was a mistake for use in dimensional lumber. Anyone know why?

 

[Rookie1]

I remodeled my house about 5 years ago and used poplar for the baseboard and other trim. Other thaan the goofy coloring it seemed ok for trim. Not sure what its like for structural lumber.

 

[timberwolf]

Stronger than most spruce/pine ect. I have milled up a fair bit of it only couple observation.

Does split easily from screws/nails
Does move quite a bit as it dries
Almost zero rot reistance if exposed near ground level.

 

[forestryworks]

try this

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/liriodendron/tulipifera.htm

 

[Laird]

Supposedly termites don't like it. Most older building around here are built w/poplar and some almost on the ground. They will rot into the ground but no termites.

 

[MotorSeven]

The poplar we have here in E TN is great lumber. Matter of fact it's very pop{u}lar. Most of the barns here have it as siding exposed to the elements for 40-50 years....still sound. I would mill the heck out of it for dimensional. The poplar up north seems to be a different species that is not as good.

RD

 

[timberwolf]

Yah, the termites don't bother with it, by the time they get at it it's already half rotten. If you have ever chewed a piece of poplar it's got a certain taste, beavers like it though, beaver tastes a lot like a poplar tree...

But really poplar makes just fine structural wood, watch loose knots though.

 

[coog]

I've milled a lot of it for trim.It takes the knives well and paints well.Usually a cheap option for paint grade trim.I have seen it used for paneling and it was rustic but nice.

 

[brisawyer]

Works great and stronger than what you can get at Lowes. I have seen some areas wont allow you to build with it unless its grade stamped. We saw dunnage about 18,000 feet a month 75% tulip poplar. I love the stuff

 

[merlynr]

I bought some poplar in colonial base trim that was unpainted and had a greenish look to it and the guy said it cut well and took paint good. This was from a guy in a little out of the way place and the price was right. Lo and behold the miter saw liked it, the paint liked it and so did the trim nailer. Good to work with.

 

[brisawyer]

Poplar or Popple to a lot of northern people means some kind of aspen or birch not sure what it is. I hear its pretty crappy wood. Maybey like buckeye? Tulip poplar is actually a member of the magnolia family.

 

[coog]

A couple of years ago it was so popular for paneling that loggers and pulpers were fighting over the good trees in the woods.I think we firewood guys turn our noses up at it because it rots so quickly, but that is more a function of not getting the bark off quickly.

 

[Basso]

I was an Industrial Arts woodworking high school teacher for 29 years. I have used poplar over the years. It cuts and sands nicely. It can be used in furniture making for underneath frames of chairs and sofas where it won't be seen. It can also be used for drawer bottoms or structural parts of furniture that are usually hidden. It's usually not used in making the main parts of furniture because of it's green funky color. Poplar and black willow used to be the cheapest priced hardwood that I could buy for my students to build projects. Then it got to the point with the lousy school budget that all the department could afford to buy was Ponderosa pine....but that's a whole other story !!!!!!


Basso

 

[brisawyer]

Too bad your not closer we usually donate some to the county high school here.

 

[stumpjumper83]

The popular I'm familiar with is actually an aspen and we have two varietites at least. I cut a 24" Big tooth aspen down as part of timberstand improvement and had it milled.

I now have some nice boards that are greenish brownish something or other to start but paint and stain well.

Don't get aspen wet, it rots quick.

 

[excess650]

Yah, the termites don't bother with it, by the time they get at it it's already half rotten. If you have ever chewed a piece of poplar it's got a certain taste, beavers like it though, beaver tastes a lot like a poplar tree...
QUOTE]

Save a tree, eat a beaver?:monkey:

Tulip poplar is pretty good wood if you're going to paint it. Otherwise, its odd inner colors from yellow, green and even purple are a turnoff to lots of people. It dries quickly, burns fast, and doesn't make a huge amount of heat.

 

[Ductape]

I've used a fair amount of poplar doing remodeling in our old farmhouse. A little tougher than pine, for not much more money. I can't afford oak or maple.... but it gets painted anyway, so no matter.

Everything in my diningroom wainscotting is poplar sep'n for the sanded birch plywood in the back.

 

[avalancher]

I was planning on milling this stuff into 2X6's and such to build a new woodshed. I planned on using pressure treated 4x4 post to the ground, and using the poplar for everything to hold up the tin roof and walls. I was concerned that maybe it wasnt as strong as the fir and pine lumber we buy in the lumber yard here.

 

[coog]

At 2x6 you'll be plenty stout.Nice to be able to make and use your own lumber to keep your wood dry.

Very nice work, Ductape.A nice place to eat, indeed.

 

[Zodiac45]

Nice application Ductape! Looks good and easy too work with.