Replies

1. 
   Samson | Mar 09, 2009 09:31pm | #1

   I believe that "southern yellow poplar" is just one of several alternate names for poplar, but I could be wrong.  Assuming that it is for the moment, poplar can have alot of colors from a pale straw all the way through deep brown (not to mention mineral stained or spalted colorings).  When the wood is freshly milled, the part that will later turn various shades of brown is greenish.  Also, any oil based finish will give polar a yellow cast and darken somewhat over time, not only in reaction to light, but due to ongoing oxidation (a finish slows interaction with air, but does not stop it).  In the background of this picture is a wall hung tool cabinet I made from poplar.  Note teh many shades of color:

   View Image

   Don't know if this helped?

   
   

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   Edited 3/9/2009 2:33 pm ET by Samson

1. 
   Hermansvillewoodtick | Mar 10, 2009 12:04am | #2

   Thanks Samson,

   Yes I think you are right.  I always knew it as just poplar until I ordered from a local saw mill and they called it southern yellow.  It still looks just like the old poplar I was looking for. 

   The color of the wood is why I went with it.  It matched the colors of an organic food and flower store where they are installed.  Your cabinet looks just like mine did at first.  What did you use for a finish to keep it looking like that as long as possible.  It makes sense that the wood will ox. over time.  If I ever build anything out of poplar again I would like to try and keep it looking freshly milled as long as I can. 

1. 
   Samson | Mar 10, 2009 12:34am | #3

   that ol' tool cabinet is 4 to 5 years old now.  I doubt it's color will change much more.  I think it's just a few coats of Watco and then some wax. 

   I don' think there is any way to keep the greenish color, if that's what you meant by freshly milled.

1. 
   Hermansvillewoodtick | Mar 10, 2009 04:13pm | #6

   Thanks I will keep that in mind for future projects.

   Take care and happy woodworking!!!

2. 
   gpssam | Mar 10, 2009 12:39am | #4

   Poplar is poplar, and southern yellow pine is southern yellow pine. They are not the same thing.

1. 
   Samson | Mar 10, 2009 02:13am | #5

   Hmm ...  I think you need to reread the original post a little more carefully.  I know how to read.  Do you?

   If you're going to be a smart ####, you might want to at least make sure you're smart first.  Granted you seem to have the second part down.

   Edited 3/9/2009 9:10 pm ET by Samson