Species guide

American aspen

Latin name

Populus tremuloides

Other Common names

Distribution

Throughout USA, but commercially in the
North Eastern USA.

General Description

Sapwood is white, blending into the light brown heartwood. The contrast between sap and heartwood is small. The wood has a fine uniform texture and is straight grained.

Working Properties

Aspen does not split when nailed, it machines easily with a slightly fuzzy surface, and turns, bores, and sands well. It takes paint and stain well to produce a good finish although care is required where the surface is fuzzy. It has low to moderate shrinkage and good dimensional stability. Aspen is a true poplar, and therefore has similar characteristics and properties to cottonwood and European poplar.

Physical Properties

The wood is light and soft, with low bending strength and stiffness, and medium shock resistance. It has a very low bending classification.

Durability

Non-resistant to heartwood decay, and extremely resistant to preservative treatment.

Availability

USA: 
Limited, and rarely available in thick stock.

Export:
Limited due to low demand.

Main Uses

Furniture parts (drawer sides), doors, mouldings, picture frames, interior joinery, toys, kitchen utensils. Matchsticks (USA). Important specialised uses include sauna laths because of its low conductivity of heat, and chopsticks.

Grading

Regionally referred to as popple and is not to be confused with American tulipwood (Liriodendron tulipifera), which is also known as yellow poplar.  Light brown mineral streaks are naturally occurring and are not considered a defect.

Technical statistics

Specific Gravity (12% M.C.):	0.38
Average Weight (12% M.C.):	417 kg/m3
Average Volume Shrinkage (Green to 6% M.C.):	9.20%
Modulus of Elasticity:	8136 MPa
Hardness:	1557 N