re: what's the right choice of wood.

Popular or Tulip tree?
Here on the east coast folks call the wood from a Tulip tree “poplar”.Not to be confused with Yellow poplar.
Tulip tree is a “soft wood” and not recognized by NKBA and other industry standards as a suitable wood for commercial cabinetry.
I use it when I have to, but never in a kitchen or a bath.Lower quality situations where high durability is not necessary.