American aspen
Populus tremuloides
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.
Other Common names
White poplar, popple
Distribution & Availability
Aspen is a true poplar and is harvested commercially in the North Eastern USA. Limited availability of volume lumber and veneer in a full range of sizes and grades.
Physical & Mechanical Properties
The wood is light and soft, with low bending strength and stiffness, and medium shock resistance. It has a very low bending classification.
American aspen - Physical & Mechanical Properties
| 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 Rupture: | 57.918 MPa |
| Modulus of Elasticity: | 8136 MPa |
| Compressive strength (parallel to grain): | 29.304 MPa |
| Hardness: | 1557 N |
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. As a true poplar aspen has similar characteristics and properties to American cottonwood and European poplar.
American aspen - Working Properties
| Sawing | Good |
| Planing | Good |
| Drilling | Good |
| Boring | Good |
| Turning | Good |
| Carving | Good |
| Moulding | Good |
| Nailing | Good |
| Screwing | Good |
| Gluing | Good |
| Finishing | Good |
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 lack of taste and odour.
American aspen - Main Uses
| Doors | ✓ |
| Flooring | |
| Furniture | ✓ |
| Joinery | ✓ |
| Kitchen cabinets | |
| Mouldings and turnings | ✓ |
| Veneered panels | ✓ |
| Sports goods | |
| Tool handles |
Other Information
Regionally referred to as popple and is not to be confused with American tulipwood (Liriodendron tulipifera), which is also known in the USA as yellow poplar. Light brown mineral streaks are naturally occurring and are not considered a defect.
Select your species
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American alder
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American ash
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American aspen
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American basswood
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American beech
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American yellow birch
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American cherry
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American cottonwood
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American elm
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American gum
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American hackberry
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American hickory & pecan
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American hard maple
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American soft maple
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American red oak
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American white oak
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American sycamore
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American tulipwood
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American walnut
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American willow
