Older trees have knobbly twigs and bark which is covered in numerous fissures and burrs. A declining species in the UK, it is rare and grows in isolation. Its leaves are shiny, green and heart-shaped. Flowers are catkins (male catkins are red and female catkins are yellow-green), and are pollinated by the wind. Uses of white poplar. Credit: Mauritius Images GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo, Scientific name: Populus nigra subsp. Poplar is also planted as a windbreak or used as a privacy screen due to the rapid growth of the tree. Water-based stains may cause fuzziness on the wood surface, which will require a light sanding before applying a varnish. Its leaves have the mild scent of balsam. A place where poplar excels is as a structural wood, because it is relatively inexpensive and durable, making it an ideal choice for carcasses, drawer boxes, and other similar projects. The Woodland Trust is a charity registered in England and Wales (No. Yellow poplar typically costs $3.20 to $4.85 per board foot (stock less than 10 inches wide). Builder contractors also commonly use plywood for constructing detached garages and sheds, for temporary floors and concrete forms. Registered office: Kempton Way, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6LL. As a finish carpenter I have access to alot of leftover poplar that we use for paint-grade trim work. Images © protected Woodland Trust. Black poplar is native to north-west Europe. It is also said that fallen red male catkins are Devil's fingers, and bring bad luck if picked up. Timber is readily worked by hand, using simple tools and is, therefore, far cheaper to use than metal. Over 70 species found in the UK, from all the native trees to the common non-natives. Black poplar wood is fine textured, soft and almost white in colour. Chris is a freelance writer who specializes in woodworking, designs his own projects, and is experienced in commercial carpentry. Poplar (yellow poplar): Poplar is a moderately soft hardwood, used in inexpensive furniture and in combination with more expensive woods. In its native form, poplar tends to take stain in a very blotchy manner. In addition, poplar species are prone to a variety of fungal diseases including cankers, leaf rusts and poplar scab. Poplar from my experience tends to check more than I like for a timber, I prefer to use it for dimensional lumber. Black poplar trees can live for 200 years. According to Greek mythology, the black poplar was created after Phaeton’s fatal attempt to drive Apollo’s chariot. GB520 6111 04. Because poplar is relatively soft and not as tough as other types of hardware hardwoods that are used in furniture, is not usually the first choice for fine furniture. It is naturally springy and resistant to shock. The black poplar was once a staple of Britain’s landscape but these days, the trees are few and far between. While poplar can be stained, it isn't a very appealing wood with a stained appearance, as it often will show brown or gray sections (rather than grain lines) in the wood. Poplar is relatively easy to work with, as it takes manipulation with a saw, lathe, or router well. A non-profit-making company limited by guarantee. Black poplar is becoming increasingly rare. One key is to make sure that your cutting tools are sharp, as poplar can tear if the cutting edges on a tool are less than optimal. Gel stains typically work better than penetrating stains. The tree is commonly used to produce paper, pallets and plywood. Garden-variety poplar wood is also sometimes referred to as yellow poplar or whitewood, but you may also find stocks of poplar that include European black poplar, cottonwood, or some types of aspen. Find out how to spot them, the symptoms and outlook, and how you can help. Black poplar wood is fine textured, soft and almost white in colour. Poplar wood is considered a hardwood by species, but this can be somewhat confusing, as it is typically softer than pine, a common softwood. Keep in touch with the nature you love without having to leave the house. Different Types of Wood and their Uses. Having a bit of the grain is fine, but poplar tends to have large sections that are of a darker color than the common creamy-white. Poplar is renowned for its ability to take paint well. Black poplar can be coppiced or pollarded and was therefore a popular source for thatching spars, bean sticks, clothes pegs and woven fruit baskets. 1982873. Delivery is free. Black poplar is the food plant for the caterpillars of many moths, including the hornet, wood leopard, poplar hawk and figure of eight. It is naturally springy and resistant to shock. Young leaves are covered in fine, tiny hairs, which they shed by autumn. Staining poplar wood is another matter entirely. For good results when staining, it is imperative that all surfaces are prepared properly with a couple of coats of a pre-stain wood conditioner. The wood is brownish yellow, with a distinctive green tinge; the grain is subdued. You can find poplar in many furniture projects, toys, and wood turnings because it is inexpensive, fairly easy to work, and takes nails, screws, and glue well. Its a unique and interesting look. It is the wood stock of choice when building woodworking projects that need to be painted. Poplar is a wood species commonly used in a variety of woodworking projects. Poplar is relatively light, and is easy to work with hand tools. Download our free Tree ID app for Android and iPhone to identify the UK's native and non-native trees. Poplar is an extremely versatile wood which is very easy to work and turn, and is great for nailing, screwing and gluing. Because of its natural fire resistance it was often used for floorboards, especially in the days of paraffin lamps. Only around 7,000 wild black poplars now grow in Britain and of these, only 600 are female trees. betulifolia. Furniture. If you intend to use poplar for outdoor woodworking plans, you may need to apply a new coat of paint every couple of years, depending on the project and the location of the finished piece. You can find poplar in many furniture projects, toys, and wood turnings because it is inexpensive, fairly easy to work, and takes nails, screws, and glue well.It works best with paint as a finish, but it can be successfully used to simulate finer woods, provided the proper steps are taken in the finishing process. The leaves are diamond-shaped and are hairless. Also, use a slow feed speed to avoid tearing. Most woodworkers will find that starting with 80-grit, then progressing through 150-, 220-, 300-, and finally, 400-grit sandpapers will yield good results. Learn more about the pests and diseases threatening our trees. Woodland Trust (Enterprises) Limited, registered in England (No. Some plywoods are made specifically for use as a siding product to appear similar to reverse board and batten siding. Traditional uses included cart wheels and wagon bottoms. Instead, the large numbers of cultivated trees pollinate them resulting in no regeneration of true, wild black poplars. It works best with paint as a finish, but it can be successfully used to simulate finer woods, provided the proper steps are taken in the finishing process. Mature trees grow to 30m and can live for 200 years.