Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) Hardwood

Excellent. Poplar takes paint better than virtually any other wood due to its fine, uniform grain. It's the standard choice for painted kitchen cabinetry, offering professional results at an affordable price.

Poplar is typically $2-4 per board foot, making it one of the most affordable hardwoods. This low cost makes it ideal for large projects where paint is the final finish.

The greenish color in poplar heartwood is caused by mineral deposits and natural extractives. It's completely normal and doesn't affect performance. The green darkens to brown over time with UV exposure, and disappears entirely under paint.

Poplar is technically a hardwood (deciduous tree), but at 540 lbf Janka it's softer than many softwoods like Southern Yellow Pine. It's used for its workability and paint adhesion rather than its hardness.

Poplar can be stained, but results are often blotchy due to uneven absorption. Use a pre-stain conditioner and test on scrap. Gel stains work better than liquid stains. Most woodworkers prefer painting poplar.

For painted furniture with moderate use, poplar works well. It's commonly used for painted tables, dressers, and built-ins. Avoid using it for structural furniture joints under heavy load — harder woods like oak or maple are better for those applications.