Tulip / Yellow Poplar for Timberframing

[Jasperfield]

What is your experience drying and framing with either Tulip Poplar or Yellow Poplar?

I have lots of large, sound, standing Poplar and the opportunity to buy land with even more of it.

My main interest in it is for posts, beams, & large cants for Timberframing.

Thanks

[Dan_Lambert]

I can't speak for making timberframes from poplar, but I can tell you for a fact that it is one of my favorite woods to work with for making just about anything. It purely depends on whether or not you (or a customer) like the look of the variegated colors in poplar, but I think that it can be a strikingly beautiful wood.

I have made a lot of furniture from poplar, as well as many period correct (mid-18th century) woodworking fixtures like shaving horses and benches. We have used it for some of the framing in looms, and other various situations.

I'm pretty sure that if it is protected from direct moisture, it would be fine. I'll have to let Jim of someone else who has worked poplar for timberframing answer the specifics, but it is a very workable wood.

[DWM II]

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,19307.msg276718.html#msg276718

Heres a timber frame cabin made from yellow poplar, its a good one too!

[Dave Shepard]

Many frames have used tulip poplar over the years. It doesn't have any rot resistance, so not the best for sills.

[Jasperfield]

I've always thought Poplar would be good for timberframing because of its workability, cost, and availability. I believe if it was kept out of the water it'd do pretty well. However it doesn't have real high values for load bearing, shear, and so forth.

I'm particularly interested to know if any particular drying procedures, beyond usual good practices, are necessary to prevent / reduce checking and twisting.

And, is Poplar particularly prone to checking, twisting, etc.?

Thanks

[Jim_Rogers]

I don't have any experience with this wood, so I can't comment on it.

I believe there has been many post or requests for information about using this wood for timber framing over the years.

A search here and on the guild site may produce some information for you.

Jim Rogers