American aspen (Populus tremuloides)

Other names: none

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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.

Machining Nailing Screwing Gluing Finishing

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.

Specific Gravity: 0.38 (12% M.C.)
Average Weight: 417 kg/m³ (12% M.C.)
Average Volumetric Shrinkage: 9.2% (Green to 6% M.C.)
Modulus of Elasticity: 8136 MPa
Hardness: 1557 N

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.

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