: Reading through various books and posts on strip building I am surprised not
: to see poplar listed as a stripping wood. It is light in color, straight
: grained, and usualy clear. Obviously there must be a downside or it would
: be used. Can anyone tell me what that "down side" is?

It weighs 50% more than cedar does. (3.2 pounds per bf as opposed to 2 pounds per bf for WRC. Ok, that's more than 50% more, but I don't feel like figuring it out exactly!)

: Northern cedar is hard to come by

Hmm. Where do you live? Cedar can be special-ordered in most lumber yards and, get this, some suppliers can actually be trusted to get you nice looking wood!

cheers!
c