I didn't realize there were other varieties. This was tulip poplar from the sawmill. There were a lot of hay-racks that were painted with grain oil every fall, thin the oil with diesel fuel to make it soak in better. Probably frowned on (creosote too) today.
Tulip poplar has a tendency to shrink dramatically after milling. Needs to be completely dry before cutting to size. It is straight grained and as usable as southern yellow pine, just don't let it get wet.
