i usually cut it into 2x4s on the mill and use it instead of construction lumber. Or burn it in the cabin stove cuz my cabin is so small it really doesnt matter.
I’m not the right person to answer this question but no. First, it’s a yard tree. Sawmills don’t like those much. Too many surprises inside. Second poplar is a cheap wood. Used for moldings that will be painted. Some cabinet makers use it for drawers. But in the big scheme it’s not worth much. Now if you had a use for it like an outbuilding or something,,,,,,,,,
About 10 years ago Popular had a big following for woodworkers, but then it just died off. Today they do not buy much of it for saw logs, and what they do buy they do not pay much for. As others have said, it is used mostly for trim work. I have known a few people who have used it for framing purposes, but it is really prone to warpage and shrinkage.
If it is actually a tulip poplar, with the green and yellow tulip shaped flowers in May, it is a Magnolia, not a poplar and someone might actually want it as a sawlog as they can have colorful streaks in the heartwood. That someone will likely be a bandsaw or chainsaw mill to open it up if it is a yard tree due to the risk of metal. You'd more probably have to pay someone to slab it or cant it and take on the risk of metal or worthless inside. A bit of a gamble. I've made firewood out of nice cherry. I've hung onto some fairly straight good size logs for guys that say they want it but never show up. When I get tired of it being in the way it becomes firewood.
Interesting. I always got the impression it was quite a stable wood. Hence trimwork etc. Tulip/poplar or a close cousin was also used for scaffolding planks in the old days. Still have a stack of 16 footers in the barn. Light and strong enough for the purpose. Cut a full 2” thick. Maybe I’m wrong, could they be ash? That’s possible as I dont recall any coloring usally associated with tulip heartwood. I cut a small stool with a chainsaw out of a green tulip trunk. Brought it in the house full of snow and plopped it on the hottest register in the house. A torture test It handled it very well. No splits just small checking. Bark is still firmly attached after 25 years.
It is a good wood. Makes nice boards, could be used for T&G siding inside. Smooth grain that takes paint well. I've cut plenty when we had our mill and used a good bit for firewood. Dries faio quick. It is used for plywood core layers and carving shows.
