Tulipwood, American

American tulipwood is one of the largest trees native to the eastern USA. It is used for both sawn timber and veneers, and is a versatile and attractive timber for a range of interior applications.

Other Names

Tulip Tree, American Tulip Tree, Tuliptree, Tulip Poplar, Yellow Poplar.

Botanical Name

Liriodendron tulipfera

Common Form
Sawn
  • Overview

    • American tulipwood is not only one of the largest trees in the forests of the eastern USA, it is also one of the most plentiful, representing about 9% of the country's standing hardwood resource. This has ensured that it is widely available and its size means that it can produce timber that is both very wide and very long. The tree is similar in shape to the European poplar, which is why it is called the yellow or tulip poplar in the USA, however it is not related. The growing region of the tree is extensive, stretching as far south as Florida and north to the southern parts of New England.

    Sapwood of the American tulipwood is creamy white an can be streaked; heartwood varies from a pale yellow-brown to an olive green, which darkens to brown on exposure to UV light. The texture of the tulipwood is medium to fine and it is straight grained. Burls and swirls can occur in the grain and are not considered defects. Size and characteristics can vary dependent on the region in which it grows.

    American tulipwood is an extremely versatile timber of moderate density. It has low values for shock resistance, bending, stiffness and compression. It is classified as 'medium' for steam bending. It has a good strength to weight ratio, making it an ideal wood for laminated beams and structures. However, it has not yet been tested in Australia for structural applications.

    Tulipwood is easy to work, as it machines, planes, turns and bores well. It has high dimensional stability and rarely splits when nailed. It takes and holds paint, stains and enamel and can attain an excellent finish.

    American tulipwood is ideal for a range of interior applications, such as furniture, joinery, cabinets, doors, panelling and mouldings. In the US it is used in the production of plywood. It is also an excellent timber for turning and carving.

    Exported widely around the world, American tulipwood is a popular choice for architects and designers as a result of its unusual colour range.

     

     

    Shrinkage

    Very Low Low Medium High Very High
    Check mark

    Tangential : Provides a simplified rating for tangential shrinkage. This is the measure of the percentage reduction in dimension from the unseasoned to 12% moisture content condition.
    8.20%

    Radial : Radial shrinkage is perpendicular to the growth rings. It is shrinkage in the direction towards the centre of the tree. Measurement is % value

    Unit Movement Tangential: This is the percentage of dimensional change for each 1% moisture content change between about 3% moisture content and the fibre saturation point for the particular species.
    9.80%

    Unit Movement Radial: This is the percentage of dimensional change for each 1% moisture content change between about 3% moisture content and the fibre saturation point for the particular species.

    Strength Group Strength groups are given for unseasoned (S1-S7) and seasoned (SD1-SD8) timber in accordance with AS 2878. S1 and SD1 yield the highest strength and stiffness whereas S7 and SD8 yield the lowest.

    Very High

    High

    Reasonably High

    Medium High

    Medium

    Reasonably Low

    Low

    Very Low

    Unseasoned:

    S1

    S2

    S3

    S4

    S5

    S6

    S7

    S8

    Seasoned:

    SD1

    SD2

    SD3

    SD4

    SD5

    SD6

    SD7

    SD8

    Stress Grade A stress grade is defined in AS 1720 as the classification of timber for structural purposes by means of either visual or machine grading. The stress grade indicates the basic working stresses and stiffnesses to be used for structural design purposes. Measured in MPa.

    Structural
    No. 1    		 Structural
    No. 2    		 Structural
    No. 3    		 Structural
    No. 4    		 Structural
    No. 5

    Unseasoned:

    Seasoned:

    Density per Standard Seasoned density is based on moisture content of 12%. Unseasoned density is an approximation as it depends on the moisture content at the time of measurement. Measured kg/m3.

    Seasoned:

    449kg/m3

    Unseasoned:

    0kg/m3

    Joint Group The joint group is a classification of the strength of a species in joint design. The values are from 1 (very high strength) to 6 (very low strength).

    Very High

    High

    Reasonably High

    Medium

    Low

    Very Low

    Unseasoned:

    J1

    J2

    J3

    J4

    J5

    J6

    Seasoned:

    JD1

    JD2

    JD3

    JD4

    JD5

    JD6

    Colour The colour of seasoned heartwood can vary between species and often within a species. The information provided should be used as a general guide only. In most cases, the colour of sapwood is either a lighter shade of the heartwood or a white/cream colour.

      White, yellow, pale straw to light brown Pink to pink brown Light to dark red Brown, chocolate, mottled or streaky
       
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    Mechanical Properties

    Modulus of Rupture - Unseasoned: This property is a measure of maximum stress which timber can momentarily sustain when loaded slowly and continuously as a beam. Measured in MPa.

    Modulus of Rupture - Seasoned: This property is a measure of maximum stress which timber can momentarily sustain when loaded slowly and continuously as a beam. Measured in MPa.
    69.640

    Modulus of Elasticity - Unseasoned: This property is of importance in determining the deflection of a beam under load — the greater the stiffness, the less the deflection. Measured in GPa.

    Modulus of Elasticity - Seasoned: This property is of importance in determining the deflection of a beam under load — the greater the stiffness, the less the deflection. Measured in GPa.
    10.894

    Maximum Crushing Strength - Unseasoned:

    Also referred to as compression strength. This property measures the ability of the timber to withstand loads applied on the end grain. Measured in MPa.

    Maximum Crushing Strength - Seasoned: Also referred to as compression strength. This property measures the ability of the timber to withstand loads applied on the end grain. Measured in MPa.
    38.198

    Impact - Unseasoned: Provides the Izod value, which is the energy taken in joules (J) to fracture the timber.

    Impact - Seasoned: Provides the Izod value, which is the energy taken in joules (J) to fracture the timber.

    Toughness - Unseasoned: This is a measure of timber’s ability to resist shocks and blows, and is synonymous with impact strength. It is measured in Nm.

    Toughness - Seasoned: This is a measure of timber’s ability to resist shocks and blows, and is synonymous with impact strength. It is measured in Nm.

    Hardness - Unseasoned: Refers to the Janka hardness test and is a measure of timber’s resistance to indentation.
    2.402

    Hardness - Seasoned: Refers to the Janka hardness test and is a measure of timber’s resistance to indentation.

    Durability

    Low Moderate Reasonably High High
    (0 - 5 yrs) (5 - 15 yrs) (15 - 25 yrs) (more than 25 yrs)

    In-Ground: Durability is defined as the inherent resistance of a timber species to decay, or to insect or marine borer attack. All references to durability refer to the heartwood only. A scale of low to high (durability class 4 = low; 1 = high) has been adapted for above and in-ground durability.
    (0 - 7 yrs) (7 - 15 yrs) (15 - 40 yrs) (More than 40 yrs)

    Above ground: Durability is defined as the inherent resistance of a timber species to decay, or to insect or marine borer attack. All references to durability refer to the heartwood only. A scale of low to high (durability class 4 = low; 1 = high) has been adapted for above and in-ground durability.
    (0 - 20 yrs, usually < 5) (21 - 40 yrs) (41 - 64 yrs) (More than 60 yrs)

    Marine Borer Resistance: Indicates whether a species is resistant (R) or not resistant (NR) to marine borer attack.

    Lyctid Borer Susceptibility: Indicates whether a species is susceptible (S) or not susceptible (NS) to lyctid borer attack.

    Susceptible

    Lyctid Borer Susceptibility - Other:

    Termite Resistance: Indicates whether a species is resistant (R) or not resistant (NR) to termites.

    Fire Properties

    Bushfire Resistance: Naturally bushfire-resisting timbers are those with inherent bushfire-resisting properties. Some species have been tested and a number are in the process of being tested and are measured by Bushfire Attack level (BAL). BAL -12.5: Ember attack, BAL – 19: Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing heat flux between 12.5 and 19 kWm3, BAL – 29: Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing heat flux between 19 and 29 kWm3.
    Not tested
    Appearance

    American tulipwood has an unusual appearance, with a creamy white sapwood and heartwood that ranges from pale yellow to olive green. Heartwood will turn to brown on exposure to UV light. The texture of tulipwood is medium to fine and it has a straight grain. Burls and swirls can occur in the grain, and these are not considered to detract from the appearance of the wood. A heavy purple mineral colouring can be present that is limited in the higher grades of the timber but unlimited in the lower grades.

     

    Common Applications

    Tulipwood is a cost-effective and versatile timber for a variety of interior applications, including furniture, joinery, cabinetry, doors, moulding and paneling. It is also a good timber for turning and carving.

     

     

     

    Workability

    American tulipwood is extremely easy to work. It machines, planes, turns and bores well, and dries easily with little degradation. It takes nails, glue and screws well. It also has good dimensional stability, and takes and holds paint, stains and enamels. A highly attractive finish can be achieved.

     

    Origin of timber
    North America
    Readily Available
    NSW
    American tulipwood is exported widely. It is expected that its availability in Australia will increase with demand.
    Source of timber
    Native Forest

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