Yellow poplar wood identification

Wood ID on a section of beam from an old house. Looks to be yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), which is, and was, a common species locally.

The wood sample is of medium density and is dark brown with areas of purple and green. Yellow poplar is very variable in color.





In the first picture (cross-section, 30x), there is a distinct band of marginal parenchyma that highlights the growth ring (light band going from bottom left up to the right). The numerous light lines going from bottom right up to the left are the rays. The rays are 'noded' - slightly wider at the growth ring boundary. These features suggest yellow poplar.

Microscopic examination provides more evidence for yellow poplar. In the second picture (tangential, 100x), the 1-5 seriate rays are visible, as is a scalariform perforation plate and large intervessel pits.

For more information on wood identification, visit the Inside Wood website