Poplar trees for Porch Posts?

[cartod]

What are the downsides of using these trees as posts. They will be outside under roof but will get wet.

 

[hr3]

How Water Resistant Is Poplar Wood? | eHow

 

[jaotguy]

around here , after they reach 12 " in diameter , most start to rot from the inside out then fall over ....

not a good omen at all ...

I'd stay away and use cedar instead ...

 

[pmhowe]

Years ago, when I lived in Maryland, I had a barn with poplar siding. It got wet in the rain, and dried in the sun. It lasted for years and years. Probably was over fifty years old when I bought the place. Poplar, if continually exposed to moisture, rots fast. If you use poplar for porch posts, make sure you place them on top of metal plinths, so there is no opportunity for the posts to wick water.

 

[smstonypoint]

What are the downsides of using these trees as posts. They will be outside under roof but will get wet.

Years ago, when I lived in Maryland, I had a barn with poplar siding. It got wet in the rain, and dried in the sun. It lasted for years and years. Probably was over fifty years old when I bought the place. Poplar, if continually exposed to moisture, rots fast. If you use poplar for porch posts, make sure you place them on top of metal plinths, so there is no opportunity for the posts to wick water.

Those are yellow (tulip) poplar logs, right?

A lot of the early cabins were built using yellow poplar and survived many years, and you can buy yellow poplar log cabin kits (Grizzly Log Homes: What is Tulip Poplar? The superior log for a log home). However, the early cabins were built with old-growth timber. I have my doubts about whether the yellow poplar being used today will be as durable.

I agree that you need to insure against wicking.

I would go with cedar so as to minimize the potential for problems in the future.

Steve

 

[sixdogs]

If you have to use wood, the above two posts are correct, especially in regard to "wicking" . On a new home like that it sure would be nice to find a way to use plastic or at the very least wrap the wood post in metal or plastic to reduce the water and rot issue. We wrapped 6x6 posts with aluminum and it looks just fine with no worry about rot.

 

[CalG]

There is a poem on the topic, I allways attribute it to Frost. It goes like this:

"One rainy night, and two misty mornings

Will take down the best popple fence a man can build"

Posts?
3 year property.........at best

 

[Budweiser John]

As a builder the last 25 years or so, every encounter with popular used for exterior posts or trim was a disaster.
Popular is a great wood for interior paint grade trim but never for an exterior application. It just doesn't hold up,

 

[yomax4]

I agree, I cut and burn a lot of wood every year. Poplar included. I have noticed that it pulls in more moisture than it can wick.

 

[peterc38]

As a builder the last 25 years or so, every encounter with popular used for exterior posts or trim was a disaster.
Popular is a great wood for interior paint grade trim but never for an exterior application.

So then I take it for this purpose, Poplar is not so popular? :laughing: