Replies

1. 
   Floss | Jun 11, 2009 05:31am | #1

   Probably similar to Yellow poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera.

   Populus alba is white poplar so a more common name would be aspen since the genus Populus is associated with aspens here in the US.

   White poplar comes from Europe.

   F.

2. 
   saschafer | Jun 11, 2009 05:36am | #2

   Yellow-poplar and tulip poplar are both names for what is "officially" known as tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera). This is the source of commercial "poplar," even though it is not a poplar at all, but rather a kind of magnolia.

   White poplar (Populus alba) is a true poplar, and is related to aspen, cottonwood and willow. It does not have much value as lumber, as the wood is soft and somewhat stringy. However, the name white poplar is sometimes (not often) used to refer to aspen, which is of modest value as lumber. You can tell the difference by looking at the leaves: True white poplar leaves are covered with a dense white fuzz on the undersides (hence the name); aspen and cottonwood leaves are paler underneath, but still decidedly greenish.

   To add to the confusion, the sapwood of yellow-poplar is occasionally called white poplar...

   -Steve

    

1. 
   MichaelDavid | Jun 11, 2009 02:20pm | #3

   Would it be ok to use for painted furniture or inside drawer parts?  Do you know how soft it is compared to white pine?

    

   Thanks

1. 
   saschafer | Jun 11, 2009 06:35pm | #4

   The aspens (in North America, quaking aspen and bigtooth aspen) have decent strength, stability and workability. The other related woods (white poplar, various species of cottonwood) have problems with all three characteristics. Imagine the wood being like tough fibers embedded in a matrix of marshmallow. The marshmellowiness gives the wood low strength (lower even than white pine), and the stringy fibers make the wood difficult to cut and plane cleanly (there's always some surface "fuzz"). On top of all that, the wood tends to warp while drying.

   So, overall, it's probably not worth the effort, although nobody will arrest you for trying, of course.

   -Steve

    

2. 
   KeithNewton | Jun 11, 2009 06:42pm | #5

   Michael, The fact that you have no information in your profile could be useful to those offering information. Your location could help. Just because your neighbor calls a tree something doesn't make it an absolutely positive ID.

3. 
   TiminMintHill | Jun 11, 2009 06:47pm | #6

   Interestingly enough, I had a large poplar taken down about a year and a half ago, and the large timbers were left back on edge of my property, somewhat shaded, but elevated by brush off the ground.

   I bought a lathe this past March and started looking for stuff to practice on, and thought about that poplar, but realizing it's much softer than other woods.

   My pleasant surprise has been that the combination of sitting in the shade and perhaps being off the ground, was that it spalted very nicely, and has produced some of the most unique pieces.

   That being said, it's been a bit more finicky than harder woods in being able to turn without causing some tearout, but a combination of a good sharp tool and a little extra sanding produces a nice effect.

   Something to consider if you or anyone you know turns wood. It is forgiving in being 'easier' to turn, due to it's softness.