(Populus tremuloides)

Distribution: Throughout USA, but commercially in the Northeast and Upper Midwest.

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 pain 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 specialized uses include sauna laths, because of its low conductivity of heat, and chopsticks.