: I bought some Basswood and some green color Popular.
: John
Close John, the wood is poplar, or as the locals call it "pop'l." the genus has the "u" (populus). These are fast growing hardwoods of the willow family which includes aspens and cottonwoods. In my area they and the white birch are the pioneer trees. In forty years they can reach a height of sixty feet and a girth of 30-36 inches. As they reach this age they face increasing competition from the other species their shade has protected. In an effort to get enough sun they get top heavy and snap off at the crown or wind throw.

In my woods I harvest them at this point. I often get 10-20' straight boles which produce a good percentage of clear wood. I've got about 3000 bdft. in downed trees to get out and mill before the ground thaws. The wood dries light weight and easy to work. As you indicate it can have a greenish tinge, but is mainly white with out much grain. Once seasoned it's considered pretty stable and was often used for the hidden parts of case goods and as core for veneer. It takes a stain or paint finish and glues well. Because the price is right I often use it any place I would use white pine. It has about the same rot resistance as the pine, which is to say low.

I'm considering building a stripper with it because of its availability, weight and workability. I'm playing with ideas involving aniline stains and inlays.

There are a lot of these independent mills off the beaten track. I went by one in Tannersville, NY, Wednesday. Gotta get back an check out their stock.