Yellow poplar or tulip poplar is the tallest hardwood tree in North America with one of the most perfect and straight trunks in the forest. Yellow poplar has a very unique leaf with four lobes separated by rounded notches. The showy flower is tulip-like (or lily-like) which supports the alternate name of tulip poplar. The soft and light wood was hollowed out by early American settlers to use as canoes. Today's wood is used for furniture and pallets.
The Common North American Yellow Poplar
Dormant Identification:
Has "duck bill" or "mitten" looking buds; has large stipule scars encircling the twig; has cone-like aggregate of samaras; has "fuzzy" buds; has unique "inverted V" on limb to trunk connection; has gray-green bark with light furrows; has pith often divided by partitions of stone cells.
Leaves: broad tip, 4-lobed.
Fruit: conelike, composed of nutlets.
ID Glossary
