There are two different trees that are called poplar.
In the East we have yellow poplar( also called tulip poplar and tulip tree). It's scientific name is liriodendrum. It's a hardwood that grows to very large size so there are plenty of long clear lenths. It's the only tree in it's family so there's not much confusion when talking about it. Used for furniture but bland in color.
There is also a poplar that is genus populus which is related to willows, cottonwoods and aspens. This stuff grows all over the place in a bunch of varities so the lumber people love it. It's great for pulpwood, particle board and 2x4's. I think it's one of the woods that falls into the catagory of "whitewood" that the bigbox stores sell.
They're both much heavier than western red cedar but I would use tulip poplar for some applications because it's known to machine fairly well.
Hope this doesn't add to the confusion.
Charlie

: 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? Northern
: cedar is hard to come by and I'm looking for a good light colored wood to
: replace it.

: Thanks