New uses for old yellow

ELLOW poplar (Lirioden' dron tulipifera), long a popular hardwood for furniture, boxes, planing mill products, veneer, paneling and miscellaneous wooden articles for the home, is receiving new recognition as a framing lumber following research studies by the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory and the School of Forest Resources at North Carolina State University.

Because it is an abundant and fast growing tree found only in the eastern part of the United States, particularly in the Gulf and Southeast Coastal States, a Push is being made to use it locally in place of spruce, pine and fir shiPPed in from the West Coast and Canada' Tests conducted bY several lumber mills in North Carolina, in- cluding Johnston Lumber Co. and J.L. Sizemore & Sons, have shown that the lumber is comparable to other species in cutting and manufacture.

The North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service is promoting the use of yellow poplar to builders and

Story at a Glance

Yellow poplar being pushed as framing lumber . . . abundant supply, fast growth, excellent properties . . . Savings of 102oo/o in home building near souroe possible.

Specializing in the wholesale distribution of industrial lumber & wood products.

has issued an informative brochure. They are suggesting that it maY be the framing lumber of the future. Yellow poplar is an ancient tree. Geologists believe that during the Cretaceous age there were 16 different members of the genus, Liriodendron, but that during the Ice Age 15 of them perished, leaving only the tree now found in the South.

Yellow poplar is said to be the tallest hardwood in North America, reaching a record height of 200 feet. Because of this, it produces some of the largest clear logs available. The usual life span of a virgin Yellow poplar is about 500 years although some have passed their l000th anniversary.

As the tree grows to reach the sunlight, it sheds its lower branches.

"LOOKINGAROUND"says Paul Bunyan

Paul does not rest on his fame as the lumberman's symbol of accomplishment. New tequirements and changing conditions keep him alert to progress.