A couple of you had asked to see what burnt Poplar looks like. I think this picture show an unfinished color pretty true. I don't have much left, but do plan to use it. For those who didn't read it, burnt Poplar is when they heat a kiln to the temperature where the sugars in the wood caramelizes and then cool it down. It turns a very nice chocolate brown.

I got this from a mill ends bin, pieces left over from a bigger job. I saw it and just had to try it out.

Hi Ron,

To me it looks almost like black walnut. How is it to work with?

Boy it does have a color very close to walnut. That looks really good.

When you finish it, it turns a very dark grainless brown. Working with it is similar to working any soft wood or nearly like any older Poplar. I'd never seen it before and when I  got it, it had an odd burnt like odor. That odor is no longer there, or maybe it is, but my nose can not detect it. I never found out what the project was that it was made for, I am still wondering. I also wonder about cost for such a process costs.

Another way of putting it.

 

 

The wood is heat treated and the darker color process is made by putting the wood into a dry kiln and bringing the moisture content down to 4%.

After that the kiln is vacuum sealed and the curly maple is heated at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 hours. The end result is a permanent darkening completely through the wood.

I think maybe this wood could be used as antique, barn siding  effect in a rec room, bar, etc. It may cost effective if you ordered an 18 wheeler full of it.