Roasted Poplar Wood 2024

Roasted Poplar Wood 

Roasted Poplar Wood or torrefied is American Tulip poplar hardwood that has been thermally modified or baked.  Poplar wood generally has light brown to creamy yellow heartwood. Poplar wood (Liriodendron tulipifera).  Poplar, sometimes referred to as tulipwood, is a fast growing, medium density wood that grows primarily in the Southern/Appalachian regions of the Unites States.

Tonewood & musical instrument makers believe roasted poplar wood creates stronger tone characteristics than regular or unroasted poplar.

Due to its stability & hardness, Poplar wood is a great hardwood alternative to pine softwood. It is commonly used to make furniture, cabinets, shutters, fixtures, millwork, and picture frames. Additionally, it is one of the least expensive domestic hardwoods produced in North America.

Poplar Lumber Varieties

The most common commercially harvested poplar subspecies are:

1. Yellow Poplar
2. White Poplar
3. Balsam Poplar
4. Black Poplar

In its unroasted form, poplar wood has a pale white sapwood with celery green to dark brown color steaks. Its grain is light and similar to alder, cherry and maple. Thus, after staining to a dark color, it’s difficult to distinguish poplar from alder or maple .

Why Roast Poplar Lumber? 

We roast 8/4 poplar wood to increase its stability and range of applications beyond that of interior millwork. Once it’s baked, it’s highly moisture resistant and suitable for exterior applications.  

However, those same moisture resistant properties make it more stable in all applications. 

For example, we make roasted poplar and alder  guitar body blanks using 8/4 lumber.

Thermally treated wood stays consistent even when the environment around it changes. Thus,  it’s ideal for luthiers who want to combine the budget and  affordability of a fast growing domestic hardwood with the stability of more exotic woods like teak or mahogany.

Additionally, roasting poplar wood changes its color tone. Roasted poplar color is closer to that of alder or walnut, depending on how long it’s baked and the kiln temperature.