Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Pro' and con's with building with Poplar wood

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1

    Pro' and con's with building with Poplar wood

    I was wondering if anybody can tell me the pro's and con's with building with poplar wood
    thank you!
    Dustin

  2. #2
    LHBA Member rreidnauer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Allegheny highlands
    Posts
    10,913

    While I never used or

    While I never used or researched it, it's been discussed quite a bit here, and these are a few observations I've noted. First, it depends on the type of poplar you'd use. I believe it's yellow or tulip that is the correct choice. Pros include straight grain. (few branches on the main portion) They have relatively low taper. They are fairly easy to acquire in the East. Cons would be they are fairly prone to checking, especially smaller diameters, and require careful measures to assure proper drying. They'll have a bit lower insulating value than softwoods, but I never considered that much of a con as it's made up in thermal mass. They'll also be heavier than softwoods, increasing transportation costs (less sticks per truckload) and more effort on the jobsite dealing with them.
    If you are on the fence whether to use them, I wouldn't hesitate as long as you stay above 12" diameter. They've been used by several members here.

  3. #3

    Poplar tree's

    y main worry is if they are going to all rot awy in ten or so years. I have a bunch of them and they are tall staight and 12 inches in diameter or bigger. I do not know what kinda of poplar tree's they are. How do I tell and doeas it make that much differance? Other than that I have mostly maple and a few oaks however,not all the straightest. I was thinking that if i kept the poplar up the highest they would stay good and dry. But I really want some opinions on using the poplar.
    Thanks
    Dustin

  4. #4

    Attended Class March

    Attended Class March 25th/26th of 2006. If you are gonna be dumb, you better be TOUGH!
    Here is a link on one of the species of tree called poplar <a href="http://forestry.about.com/cs/treeid/a/the_poplar.htm">http://forestry.about.com/cs/treeid/a/the_poplar.htm</a> Gives info on the quaking aspen balsam poplar and various cottonwood trees all these are called poplar. They may be others called poplar other then Yellow Poplar aka tulip poplar which is not mentioned in this link as the Yellow Poplar is not related to quaking aspen and balsam poplar or the cottonwoods. Actual according to this link Yellow Poplar is not a true Poplar. Here is a link to Yellow Poplar <a href="http://forestry.about.com/od/hardwoods/ss/tuliptree.htm">http://forestry.about.com/od/hardwoods/ss/tuliptree.htm</a>. If this is what tree you have plan on building off the ground about 18 inches and build with large overhangs on the gable and eve ends, better yet a wrap around porch would be nice also, this will protect the wood from direct rain and give you a nice place to set and enjoy the view! Even if you don't have the yellow poplar good overhang on the roof and high off the ground is a good pratice for all logs homes.

Similar Threads

  1. Green or Dried, Pro & Con
    By thom in forum General discussion about log homes and cabins
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 03-15-2009, 11:25 AM
  2. Show on TV tonight about building wood stoves
    By WalkingHorseLady in forum General discussion about log homes and cabins
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 03-16-2008, 09:57 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •