Yellow poplar is hard to beat when it comes to versatility. It machines very well, stains very well and paints very well. It is often called the poor man’s cherry because of it’s similar grain and ability to accept stain so readily it can be stained to resemble cherry as well as other species. It is often used as a paint grade species because it paints beautifully, is less expensive than other hardwoods and is a harder wood than pine which is often used as a paint grade species. This species has been used for years east of the Mississippi and is becoming more popular in the Midwest with the increasing demand for lighter colored woods and finishes used in homes today.
