Tulip Poplar – Hardwood
Oct 3, 2025 (near Johnson City TN)
Today I visited East Tennessee to climb the state tree, the Tulip Poplar. #8 on my quest to climb each of the U.S. state trees
The tulip poplar, also known as the tulip tree, yellow poplar, and tulip wood grows throughout the Appalachian mountains. This tree grows extremely straight and tall. It can be found throughout the mountains as well as some of the river valleys. Pennsylvania State Forester Seth Cassell connected me with the Tennessee state Forester, Heather Slayton who connected me with Brook Smith. Brook is a Forester with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, division of forestry. Brook told me about some of the challenges facing forests here in Tennessee, specifically increased wildfire concerns. Recently storms have been more and more severe, which frequently snap the tops off of trees in the forest. This then builds up a dangerous level of fuel on the forest floor. Rather than small periodic ground fires, fires often now become raging infernos which destroy an entire forest. This was the case about nine years ago in East Tennessee. Like many other states, Tennessee is battling many invasive plants that thrive on disturbance. After the fires, many non-native plants move in such as Kudzu, Empress tree and others. Meanwhile, there are some really great things to celebrate regarding the forests of Tennessee. There is cooperation between private land owners, local, state, and federal agencies that together manage millions of acres of forest land in the state. Hardwoods are one of the most valuable products. The bourbon and wine industry requires White Oak for its waterproof barrels. Where would we be without Tennessee whiskey, and where would Tennessee whiskey be without White Oak?
The Tennessee state tree, the Tulip Poplar, is an extremely versatile hardwood lumber. In my home state of Pennsylvania Gilson snowboards produces some of the most state-of-the-art snowboards and skis in the world using Tulipwood. My friend David Venables from the American hardwood export council, based in London England, has this to say about this incredible tree: “Yellow Poplar, Tulip Poplar or Tulipwood as it’s known in international markets is unique. Not only does research suggest it is a better carbon sequester in the forest than most other species, its timber has extraordinary properties. Testing has proved that it’s one of the strongest timbers for its weight anywhere in the world. This fact led @ahec_europe to pioneer its use for the first ever hardwood CLT. Which in turn led to the first building anywhere in the world, a cancer care centre in the UK, built from Tulipwood Cross Laminated Timber (CLT). Now industries in the USA are looking at this species as a structural solution for mass timber construction, a much more sustainable option than using concrete or steel.”
I would like to give a special shout out to my friends at WDVX out of Knoxville, Tennessee. They broadcast the music of Tennessee all over the world. Meanwhile, Tennessee forests produce wood products used all around the world.
(full video of the climb)
