West Virginia yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera—also known as the tulip tree) lumber can serve as an affordable, sustainable alternative to traditional building materials like softwood, steel and concrete, according to West Virginia University professor Joseph McNeel. The professor and director of the WVU Appalachian Hardwood Center at the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design has been testing the effectiveness of yellow poplar, an abundant West Virginia species, as a source of engineered wood building material. Yellow poplar grows straight, has small limbs and processes easily, making it well suited for construction. These large, thick panels are known as cross-laminated timbers. CLTs come from lower grade material. They’re used for long spans in walls, floors and roofs and do well as load-bearing elements. The panels are typically manufactured using softwoods – spruce, fir and pine – but not with hardwoods. Research suggests that certain Appalachian hardwoods, like yellow poplar, work well in structural applications.