Poplar

<p>Poplar is the workhorse of the domestic hardwoods — light, easy to work, inexpensive, and widely available. Its heartwood is a distinctive pale green to yellow-brown, often with streaks of purple, green, or black that make it unmistakable. Because it paints so well, it's the go-to choice for painted furniture, cabinet interiors, and utility pieces where surface appearance is covered. One of the easiest domestic hardwoods to machine, carve, and nail without splitting.</p><table><tr><td><strong>Latin name</strong></td><td>Liriodendron tulipifera</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Janka hardness</strong></td><td>540 lbf</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Origin</strong></td><td>Eastern North America</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Avg. dried weight</strong></td><td>29 lbs / ft³</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Workability</strong></td><td>Excellent</td></tr></table><p><strong>Common uses:</strong> Painted furniture · Cabinet interiors · Drawer boxes · Molding · Carving · Utility shelving</p>