I know that with all the wood options available for furniture, flooring, and cabinets, the decision about what to choose is intimidating. Although walnut and poplar are both options, how do they compare with each other?
In this article, I will explore the details of both poplar and walnut wood so you can learn how they differ and which is best for different woodworking projects.
Poplar and Walnut Overview
I’ve used both wood options for a number of woodworking projects, and here’s my take so far. Walnut is a medium-grain hardwood, and poplar is a fine-grain hardwood.
Walnut can be used for flooring, furniture, and cabinetry. Poplar is a cheaper and more practical option and can be used as a substitute for walnut as the grain patterns are similar. Poplar is not ideal for flooring.
Poplar differs significantly from walnut in several ways. Poplar is a cheap wood option, and although it does not readily accept stains like walnut, it does very well with paint.
In terms of hardness, poplar is considerably softer than walnut, as well as most other hardwoods like oak. It therefore requires more careful consideration regarding its usage than walnut does.
If the cost of walnut is higher than your budget, you can consider other species of walnut that are cheaper, yet aesthetically appealing and functional. Examples of these include rustic walnut and claro walnuts.
All About Walnut Wood
There are many different varieties of walnut, but the Eastern Black Walnut, or American Black Walnut or American Walnut (Juglans Nigra), is the one that is typically used for woodwork.
This walnut wood is popular with woodworkers because it is a hard, dense, and tight-grained wood, and it polishes to a beautifully smooth finish. Over time, natural walnut wood develops a lustrous patina.
Walnut wood is usually straight-grained but can have waves or curls, enhancing the character.
Density: 630 kg/m3, 38 lbs, 1010 on the Janka scale.
Cost: $2 to $38 per board feet
Is Walnut A Hardwood Or A Softwood?
Walnut is a hardwood like cherry, maple, or oak. This simply means that it comes from a dicot tree. It is important to remember here that hardwood and softwood do not refer to the hardiness of the wood or its ability to resist damage from scuffing or denting.
Color Of Walnut Wood
In terms of color, it ranges from pale blonde or yellow-gray (from the sapwood) to dark chocolate or coffee color (in the heartwood). The heartwood may also have lighter browns, purples, grays, and reddish tints. The fact that it is the only true dark-brown domestic wood species has also increased its fan base among wood lovers.
While woods like cherry, maple, and oak darken in color as they age, walnut wood tends to lighten ever so slightly over time, especially with sun exposure. A dark walnut stain will prevent this. An oil finish will also help avoid this lightening process and give it richer hues over time.
Care Of Walnut Wood
The care of the wood depends on what finish is used to seal the wood. As a general rule, dust regularly and avoid commercial cleaners, which can leave a residue.
If the walnut piece has an oil finish, apply a natural Danish linseed oil once a year or more often in a warmer climate.
Uses For Walnut Wood
Walnut is used for upscale cabinetry, furniture, and natural wooden flooring. It is also used for gun stocks, paneling, veneers, ornaments, and more.
Sustainability Of Walnut
Walnut trees take more than 100 years to mature, and although not endangered, there are far fewer trees than years ago due to their popularity.
All About Poplar Wood
Poplar wood is the wood that comes from the Liriodendron tulipifera or the tuliptree. Poplar has a few varieties and also includes names such as the American tulip tree, tulipwood, tulip tree, tulip poplar, whitewood, fiddle tree, and yellow poplar. It may also be known by its Miami-Illinois name, “Poinsettia”.
Poplar wood typically has a straight and uniform grain. It is sometimes used as a substitute for walnut and other finer hardwoods, although a trained eye will quickly pick up the differences.
Top tip: If you want to use poplar to mimic the look of another wood like maple, test your stain to make sure you have the right color for your poplar wood stain. Use scraps of the same poplar boards you will be using in the project, and remember to apply a few coats of pre-stain wood conditioner before applying your test stains.
Density: 540 on the Janka scale.
Cost: $3 to $4.85 per board foot
Is Poplar A Hardwood Or A Softwood?
Poplar, like walnut, is hardwood. However, it’s much softer.
Color Of Poplar Wood
The heartwood ranges from light cream to yellow-brown, occasionally even green. The sapwood or outermost part is usually white to pale yellow. The colors darken or become yellower over time.
Poplar wood can also have mineral streaks of various colors – this is referred to as “rainbow poplar”. This happens because the poplar is very light and can soak up minerals from the ground, causing all sorts of colors to streak through the wood, from blue to green, purple, red, and yellow.
Wood with these rainbow characteristics is often used for its beauty, instead of traditional poplar, which is used for utilitarian purposes.
Uses For Poplar Wood
Native Americans used yellow poplar for canoes. It has also been used for dinnerware, coffins, toys, carvings, crates, and pallets. It often forms the frames of upholstered furniture and, as a veneer, in plywood. It is also used for the core of doors. In many cases, another wood is layered on top.
Although it generally has more practical purposes, it is occasionally used in some artisan furniture.
Poplar is defined as a “hardwood”, but it rates relatively low on the Janka scale, which means it is not ideal for flooring and is more prone to denting and other damage.
Sustainability of Poplar Wood
Poplar is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and can therefore be considered a sustainable option.
Walnut vs Poplar: Durability
When it comes to durability, walnut is generally considered to be much stronger than poplar. Although they are both hardwoods, walnut has a Janka hardness rating of 1010, while that of poplar is 540.
Being much denser than poplar, walnut is naturally more resistant to wear and tear and can withstand heavy use, similar to birch wood. So, is walnut the best wood? I suppose in this case, we could put it that way.
Poplar is one of the softest hardwoods, making it more susceptible to damage, and less durable over time. Also, walnut wood has natural oils and resins that help protect it from moisture and decay.
This makes it a suitable choice for furniture and items that may be exposed to some humidity. Poplar, on the other hand, is more prone to rot and decay when exposed to moisture, so it may not be as long-lasting in damp environments.
Finally, walnut’s rich, dark color tends to deepen and become more attractive as it ages, adding to its durability in terms of appearance. Poplar, although it can be painted, may not achieve the same level of elegance and may show wear and tear more prominently.
Walnut vs Poplar: Price
Walnut and poplar differ significantly in terms of price, with poplar being more affordable than walnut. Poplar grows very quickly, which keeps its supply steady in the U.S., thereby keeping its price low.
This makes it an excellent choice for projects where cost-effectiveness is a priority, such as building simple furniture, cabinetry, or interior trim work.
In contrast, walnut is considered a premium wood and is often more expensive due to its limited availability and the longer time it takes to mature.
Due to its appearance, it is highly sought after for high-end furniture and fine woodworking projects, contributing to its higher price tag. Poplar, while still a solid wood choice, doesn’t have the same visual appeal as walnut and is often used for hidden or painted parts of projects, further affecting its affordability.
Comparing Walnut and Poplar Wood
Here’s a simple comparison table between walnut and poplar, highlighting their major distinguishing factors:
| Characteristics | Walnut | Poplar |
| Color | Deep, rich brown | Light yellow to greenish hue |
| Grain | Pronounced and distinctive | Fine grain with less prominence |
| Grain pattern | Straight, wavy, or curly grain | Straight and uniform |
| Usage | High-end furniture, cabinets, tables | Plywood, boxes, crates, furniture, cabinets, toys |
| Durability | Moderately durable | Less durable |
| Price | High-priced | Low-priced |
Walnut Pros:
- Walnut is known for its rich, dark color and beautiful grain patterns, making it a highly sought-after wood for furniture and decorative items.
- Walnut is a hardwood, meaning it is dense and able to withstand wear and tear.
- Walnut ages well with time, developing a deeper and more pronounced color
- Walnut contains natural oils and resins that help protect it from moisture and decay.
- It’s suitable for a wide range of applications, from fine furniture to flooring and cabinetry.
Walnut Cons:
- Walnut is generally more expensive than other woods due to its limited availability and high demand.
- It can be more challenging to work with due to its hardness and may require special tools.
Poplar Pros:
- Poplar is an economical wood choice, making it ideal for budget-conscious projects.
- It is widely available in many regions
- Its light color and fine grain make it good for painting, which adds to its versatility
- It is relatively soft and easy to work with
Poplar Cons:
- Poplar’s natural color and grain pattern is less striking than that of woods like walnut.
- It is a softwood, so it’s more susceptible to dents and damage
- It has a higher risk of sustaining moisture-related damage
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Poplar Look Like Walnut?
No, poplar does not look like walnut. Poplar has a light, often pale yellow to greenish hue with a fine, less pronounced grain pattern. In contrast, walnut has a deep, rich brown color with distinctive grain patterns.
Although regarding poplar and walnut stain, poplar can be stained or painted to mimic the darker color of walnut, it still won’t replicate the same natural richness.
How Hard Is Poplar Compared to Walnut?
Poplar is significantly softer than walnut. Although broadly categorized as a hardwood, poplar has a lower Janka hardness rating of 540 than that of walnut at 1010, which is also classified as a hardwood. Its soft nature makes poplar easier to work, but less suitable for heavy-duty projects such as flooring.
Is Poplar a High-Quality Wood?
Poplar is generally not considered a high-quality wood when compared to other hardwood options like cherry. It falls into the category of “utility” or “secondary” woods because of its moderate durability and less aesthetic appeal. However, poplar does have its merits. It is a budget-friendly choice and can be stained or painted to elevate its appearance.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a fine piece of furniture or a beautiful floor, walnut is a great choice. The wood ages exceptionally well and will last a lifetime. If cost is a concern, poplar is an option under certain circumstances.
Rainbow poplar makes for a character-filled piece of furniture. And for the plainer pieces of wood, with the correct staining, and its straight and uniform grain, it can be turned into an attractive piece of furniture. It should, however, not be used for flooring.
