American tulipwood (Liriodendron tulipifera)

Other names: Yellow poplar (USA), tulip poplar (USA), canary whitewood

Click to enlarge

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. For additional information, please see the structural applications page and the pre-treatment properties page.

Machining Nailing Screwing Gluing Finishing

Physical properties

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

Specific Gravity: 0.42 (12% M.C.)
Average Weight: 449 kg/m³ (12% M.C.)
Average Volumetric Shrinkage: 9.8% (Green to 6% M.C.)
Modulus of Elasticity: 10,894 MPa
Hardness: 2402 N

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.

Email a friend about this page

Bookmark this page