Poplar Wood Vs. Maple Wood

Poplar and maple are both relatively light-colored hardwoods often used to make furniture or sold as dimensional lumber. Several species of each may be labeled as simply "poplar" or "maple," each having its own appearance, density and working characteristics. In the right projects, these woods are strong, durable and attractive. Does this Spark an idea?

Acer Rubrum

Also known as red maple, scarlet maples, water maple or soft maple, this North American native has white sapwood and light brown heartwood with a gray, green or purple tinge. The grain is usually straight, but wavy grain is sometimes seen. This unusually-figured maple is often sold as "curly" or "tiger" maple. Acer rubrum hardwood is difficult to treat with preservatives, but does not resist decay or insects. This wood has a hardness rating of about 950 on the Janka scale, turns, planes and bores well, and can be difficult to sand or bend. Use Acer rubrum in furniture, veneers, interior construction, dowels and cabinetry.

Acer Nigrum

Called hard maple, black maple, sugar maple and rock maple, this wood is considerably harder than Acer rubrum, scoring an 1180 on the Janka scale. Acer nigrum has white sapwood with a reddish tone and light reddish brown heartwood. Like Acer rubrum, this maple usually has straight grain, but may have wavy or curly grain. Some Acer nigrum specimens have a "bird's eye" or "fiddleback" grain figure, which is prized for veneers and other surface work. This wood resists impregnation, has a high bending strength and is resistant to wear and tear. Use hard maple to make drum sticks, bowling pins, sturdy furniture, veneers, hardwood flooring, cabinetry and musical instruments.

Liriodendron Tulipifera

This North American tree is not a true poplar, but is often called poplar, popple, yellow poplar, tulip poplar or white poplar. It may also be sold as American tulipwood or whitewood. Old growth sapwood is white to cream, while heartwood is pale olive, clear yellow, tan, brown or greenish brown. Tulip poplar heartwood is often streaked with interesting dark green, blue, black or purple marks. The wood is straight grained, dimensionally stable and easy to work. It rates only about a 540 on the Janka hardness scale, and works best in decorative uses, joinery, veneer, moldings and furniture.

Populus Balsamifera

Often sold simply as poplar, Populus balsamifera may also be called balsam poplar, California poplar, balm of Gilead, cottonwood and Tacamahac poplar. This true popular grows in both eastern Europe and much of North America. It has whitish sapwood that merges into light brown to grayish heartwood with no distinct margin. The wood is straight grained, with occasional wavy or fiddleback figures similar to those of maple. Balsam poplar is much softer than maple, however, rating only about a 300 on the Janka scale, similar to softwoods. Use balsam poplar in low-wear situations.