Poplar is one of the largest and most valuable hardwood tress in the United States. It's been known to reach heights of nearly 200 feet, with a straight clear trunk of 8 to 10 feet in diameter. One can easily understand why it's extensively cut into lumber for interior trim, veneers, and other high-grade uses because the wood is soft and easy to machine. For that reason, it's commonly argued that poplar really isn't a hardwood after all. However, we'll table the classification of wood species for another discussion.
For all intents and purposes, Poplar:
"Is practically grown in our own backyard. Less transit impact and cost"
"Paints beautifully! Tight grain pattern, no open pores, fewer knots to fill. Virtually no grain raise. Little to no bleed-through. Less callbacks."
"Can be finger jointed for less waste, greater stability and even more usability via greater widths and consistent lengths."
"Consistent grain pattern. Mills and carves well with less wear and tear on cutting tools and machinery."
"Cuts cleanly with little to no grain tear."
"It takes fasteners well. Resists splitting, Little or no "mushrooming" when nailed or screwed."
"Sands well, keeping its edge."
"Joints between pieces of poplar are less likely to loosen over time."
"Depending on the color variation, it may be stained to resemble some darker hardwoods. Some have called it the "Poor Man's Cherry"."
"Poplar is strong and stable and resists warping."
"It takes a licking and is easy to patch and paint, you don't have to replace the entire piece."
"Poplar is in substantial and sustainable supply and ITC Millwork can rapidly acquire it to fulfill your needs."
"Poplar growth is short-turn, the most progressive of trees."
"Poplar trees come from sustainably managed operations. They're not from virgin forests."
"The tree is used in its whole (no unused production waste)."
"Low toxicity as compared to manufactured products such as MDF, particle board, engineered woods, etc."
"Poplar can be recycled and re-purposed."
So, there you have it! In short, when your project calls for paint or stain, there is usually no better choice than Poplar. Please feel free to share your thoughts on "Why poplar?" via the comments below.
The ITC Millwork Blog is written by company thought leaders who have a strong pulse on the industry. They're expressive, skillful, and passionate about their jobs and our customers. Passion causes you to open your mouth when sometimes a whisper will do.