The yellow poplar is a hardwood tree found primarily in the eastern United States and south to the Gulf Coast and central Florida. The sapwood is often variegated or striped and white in color, while the heartwood is variable in hue, ranging from clear yellow to tan or greenish brown.

Fairly light in weight, fine textured, fairly soft and usually straight-grained, yellow poplar enjoys a good reputation for dimensional stability. Tulip poplar wood is widely employed as a veneer for berry and fruit boxes. The lumber is used for furniture, cabinetwork, boxes, crates, pallets, millwork, musical instruments, fixtures, coffins and caskets, and many other miscellaneous uses such as kitchen utensils, toys, novelties, patterns, and cigar boxes.