How much is Tupelo wood per BF and where can I buy it in the midwest (Indiana)?

I travel to a lot carving shows in Indiana and Ohio. This last show I went to, I meet a gentlemen that power carvers. I thought that might be something I’d like to try. He said he uses tupelo wood. I have tried looking it up online and found some places that I could order it from but the price varies. Some prices were a difference of $2 or more.

Is there anyone out there that knows how much a board foot or a good place to order it?

Any information would be great.

-- While teaching a class, a gentlemen once asked me: "When chip carving an intricate design, what do you do when you are almost finished and the wood breaks off?" I replied "Cover the kids ears."