Yellow-poplar is one of the top commercial hardwood species in the United States because of its availability, rapid growth, excellent form, freedom of branching, and good working qualities. It was second only to oak in lumber production in 1963, and third in hardwood veneer log production in the same year. The species ranks third in volume of lumber used in the furniture industry, but ranks first in the North Carolina furniture industry - the Nation's major producer of wooden furniture. Because of yellow-poplar's importance to the wood-using industries, forest scientists have developed extensive research programs to propagate, protect, and utilize the species.