These are poplar logs… one of my favorites.
Poplar logs are often among the widest logs found on old cabins.
Poplar is an abundant species of wood, it grows straight and relatively knot-free, and it is a joy to hew and notch. These massive logs tend to “soften” in appearance as they age and are quite tempting to caress with the hand as they will not splinter. They are also among the best logs for insulation R-values.
I have no idea why log cabin kit homes do not offer poplar logs… it’s baffling to me.
If you look closely you can see that wire lathing has been applied between the logs and it is now ready for an application of mortar.
Originally posted 2015-11-28 13:51:46.
Nice.
Your tulip wood seems to be a lot better then our poplar up north.
I used to get tulip / poplar fairly local for cheap (about $1.00 bd. ft. KD).. Rough sawn boards. I would plain it out and use it for trim and inner work on cabinets etc.
There is a company down NC I think that offers Tulip Poplar (at least they did a few years ago). They offered flat faced logs really inexpensive, you do the notching. Grizzly is the company I think.
Poplar, (tulip), is a great wood… we use it for everything… nothing is more stable nor holds paint better. The last time I bought it from the local sawmill I was getting 14 inch and wider boards for 40c a board ft (green and wet… but what a bargain) I’ve never heard of Grizzly… I’ll have to look them up!
I love it for trim.
No bleed through sap, and takes paint excellent too! 🙂
I can’t get it anymore. After the economic crunch the company went out of business. They would get the rough sawn wood by rail from down your way and mid Atlantic, and they had a big kiln. Maple, oak, hickory and tulip.
The other thing I really like (I know I am long winded), is the poplar bark shakes. What a grteat way to use the timber too (bark and wood).
It is a joy to remove the bark from a poplar tree when the sap is flowing… it just about falls of the tree once a cut is made and an axe slid underneath. I have a friend that makes poplar bark baskets from a single piece of poplar bark… great stuff it is.
When is this new class for log cabins start?
Hi Kenneth, thanks for asking!
The Handmadehouse Academy is coming, I promise.
It is taking a LOT more of my time and effort than I ever imagined.
Trying to put together decades of experience into about eight hours of video content (which I’ve never done anything like this before) is quite the challenge. Believe you me. I am the writer, director, camera man, spokesperson, editor, etc. whew!
There will be eight different modules, of which I’m now wrapping up number 7, and there will a final Q and A where I will answer all emailed questions to me on a final video.
All this is probably more than you wanted to know… best guess is likely two or three weeks.
BTW… the bulk of the course is log but I’ll so delve into the other forms of construction also.
Just like this site does.
Noah
Hey Mr Bradley,
I have recently started watching your videos and am now subscribed.
My wife and i live in Alabama on our private acreage with an abundance of varying species of timber, White oak, pine,poplar, red oaks and such.
We have cut, milled, air dried, kiln dried and used during our remodeling process of our house (making it look like a cabin).
My specific question is that we want to build a guest cabin with logs from our property. Which trees and do i need to get them in a kiln before construction?
Thank you for your info and great videos.
David
David,
Thanks for joining us! And for your kind words.
With regard to which species of tree you should check out this video… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEQXzkGVlEc
Historically most log cabins have been built of freshly cut green logs, but it does take a good bit of time to season. I’ve gone the route of using a kiln (there are issues with using a kiln, but clearly is does help with settling in the those first few years) In short there are many considerations, pros and cons, when building a log home. Choices you need to make depending upon your circumstances.
I personally prefer to work with vintage salvaged logs, or if I am working with new wood… to give it the time it needs to naturally season.
Noah
Noaha I have a house I’m removing I can’t figure out the inside its got a lot of flakes every where
Where are you located
I’m in Virginia.
Flakes? hmmmm… not sure what that’s about… normally when I am salvaged an old house the only flakes I might encounter that I would call flakes would be peeling paint.
Mr. Bradley I live in Orange county Virginia and want to build my own cabin out of Poplar logs. But the county building department said I can’t because its not graded lumber I want to build it traditional style v-notch. Can you help me with info on how I can make this portable. Thank you and I love your videos.
I have always found that there is a way… it’s a matter of friendly persistence… of working with the County… and not fighting them.
They need to follow the rules, and avoid any liability issues falling on them.
My first line of inquiry would be to see if you supplying an engineer’s certification of your logs and plans would suffice.
That ought to work.
If not ask about the County’s policy on variances.
And finally do some research on having your “lumber” graded.
And… seriously consider signing up for the Log Cabin Academy!…
I have been following your web site and have been planning to build a log bunkie on my property up in Canada. If you are planning to have classes on the subject of building a log home or bunkie I would be very interested in attending. Thanks in advance for your reply.
Al
Hi Al,
At this time I have no immediate plans for “in person” classes… but I hope to do just that one day in the future.
Thanks for asking!
Noah
I live in Northern Maine. A friend of mine recently built a log cabin on his undeveloped 80 acre spread of forested woods. He’s always been known for doing things his own way and not listening to reason,which brought no surprise to us when he used poplar logsto build his cabin. All of the Maine old timers told him that he was crazy, for the fact that poplar logs rot too quickly. I’m not sure about other regions, but here in Maine, most cabins are built with longer lasting hardwood species such as oak, maple, ash, etc. So, what gives? Is his cabin going to rot and collapse in ten years?
Hi Ryan,
Here in Virginia we refer to the wood of a tulip poplar tree as “poplar”… I understand that other areas of the country have other species of trees that they label the same way.
And, here in Virginia many old log cabins were made out of tulip poplar and have held up wonderfully.. and they did so by being build in the traditional method as I promote here on this website and as I have built myself for the past few decades. Poplar will rot quickly if it is left in contact with the ground or if it is built in an improper way such as the butt and pass method where one log is laid upon the one under it.
It is my opinion that any wood will hold up well if used in the traditional manner and all species will fail eventually fail is used in the new methods of construction.
Noah
Is there a way for an amateur to tell if the logs in an existing cabin are poplar or some other species? Part of our house is a circa 1840 cabin & I’m curious. Thank you!
Hi Jenna… an easy way to spot poplar is that the surface is generally smooth the touch… relatively grain free… and often has a crack running the length of the log right down the center of it.
Noah
Yellow poplar which is called tulip tree and also, regrettably tulip poplar was known as whitewood. It is a hardwood but is easily tooled. It was prized for its easy shaping. The knock on it for cabins is checking and warping as it dries. I am going to hew some poplar this winter and we will see how it behaves firsthand.
Tulip poplar does have quite a tendency to check and crack, right down the center of the log… no doubt about it.
I have never experienced much of a tendency for the wood to warp though.
I make sure and cut it during the cold months… now being a great time, when the sap is not running nor the tree in leaf. I cut my logs long so that I have a good foot or two to cut off fresh when it comes time to notch my corners.
Poplar is a joy to work in comparison to most other woods, it does make for beautiful cabin, a well insulated one, and will hold up great if it is kept up off the ground and chinked properly.
My best to you on your upcoming project!
Hi. We are closing on a 125 (more or less) year old house that is built of almost all yellow poplar here in the western North Carolina mountains. The house was left in disrepair with a leaky roof for many years before the residents before us bought it and did some renovations. It looks like the poplar (ceilings, floors and walls) held up well! There are a lot of water stains that they have painted wood stain over (but you can still see them very well). I am trying to decide if this just adds character or if I need to do something to “help”!! What would you suggest? Only one of the rooms in the house was “whitewashed” – it is said that one of the earlier residents (1890s) was nearly blind and could make out shadows against the lighter walls so they did her room that way. Just looking for some of the best ways to take care of our “new” home. Thank you for any suggestions.
Congratulations Sandy!
Western North Carolina is one of the most beautiful areas on the planet, and poplar log cabins are at the top of list with regard to the best home a person can have.
It is hard for me to make recommendations on a home I have not seen but I can make a few general comments.
First, I do not like wood stains or sealers on logs… I would remove any that you have.
Second, I don’t view water created stains as adding character to logs (a stain is a stain)… I would do my best to remove them as well. Often it’s a matter of trying one solution, or technique, until you find one that works.
The vast majority of folks don’t like any kind of paint on logs… if they want logs… they want to see raw wood. But, as a person who has seen a LOT of wood, and a few drop-dead gorgeous painted cabins, I can say that paint on logs can be very attractive.
Your cabin should please you. I find that logs are most attractive when left alone and left to age naturally. If they are they harmed they should be restored. And if they cannot be made to once again be attractive, a fresh coat of milk paint is a wonderful option.
Hope this helps!
Noah