Liriodendron (Canarywood)

 

 Canarywood is a genus of two species of characteristically large deciduous trees in the magnolia family (Magnoliaceae).

 

These trees are widely known by the common name tulip tree or tuliptree for their large flowers superficially resembling tulips. The Latin Liriodendron actually means "lily tree",. The tulip tree is sometimes referred to as "tulip poplar" or "yellow poplar", and the wood simply as "poplar", although Liriodendron is not closely related to the true poplars, but is more closely related to magnolia trees. The tree is also called canoewood, saddle-leaf tree, and white wood.

 

Two species of Liriodendron are known to exist. Liriodendron tulipifera is native to eastern North America, while Liriodendron chinense is native to China and Vietnam. Both species often grow to great size, sometimes exceeding 50 m (164 ft) in height. The American species is commonly used horticulturally, and hybrids have been produced between these two allopatrically distributed species.

 

The wood of the North American species (called poplar or tulipwood) is fine grained and stable. It is easy to work and commonly used for cabinet and furniture framing, i.e. internal structural members and subsurfaces for veneering. Additionally, much inexpensive furniture, described for sales purposes simply as "hardwood", is in fact primarily stained poplar. In the literature of American furniture manufacturers from the first half of the 20th century, it is often referred to as "gum wood". The wood is only moderately rot-resistant and is not commonly used in shipbuilding, but has found some recent use in light-craft construction. The wood is readily available, and when air dried, has a density around 24 lb/cu ft (0.38 g/cm3).