Purdue Extension

Hardwood Lumber and Veneer Series Aspen FNR-273-W Daniel L. Cassens, Professor and Extension Wood Products Specialist Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907

Aspen and cottonwood are very closely related; The mechanical properties are also substantially see discussion of cottonwood for additional reduced compared to the other aspens and information. There are three species of aspen in cottonwood. North America. All species are widely distributed Steam Bending in the North as well as at higher elevations in the Data is not reported on the ability of the wood to Western United States. bend when treated with steam. The wood will The largest quaking aspen reported is 3.4 feet probably not bend well. in diameter; the largest big tooth aspen is 2.8 feet Drying in diameter; and the largest balsam poplar is 4.4 feet A relatively severe schedule can be used to dry in diameter all at 4 ½ feet above the ground. aspen; however, collapse and wet pockets can be a Wood Color and Texture problem. Once processed, the woods of the Aspens, Balsam Shrinkage Poplar, and Eastern Cottonwood are very similar. The shrinkage of both aspen species and balsam Cottonwood is said to be somewhat coarser textured, poplar is relatively low and substantially less than darker in color and never creamy as with aspen. It is cottonwood. devoid of luster. Dark streaks and knots will fluoresce yellow under ultraviolet light; whereas, Decay Resistance these characteristics in cottonwood will not. None of the species exhibit any resistance to wood decay. Workability Aspen is rated just somewhat better than Commercial Use, Grading, and Value cottonwood for planning, shaping, boring, and Aspen is graded standard just like cottonwood mortising. except stain is admitted in all grades. Strength At one time aspen was considered a weed tree At 12 percent moisture, content quaking and big and delegated to the pulp and paper industry. It is tooth aspen weigh about 26 to 27 pounds per cubic also a favorite species for the manufacturer of panel foot or just slightly less than cottonwood. These are boards. Now it has a well established lumber market some of our lightest woods. The mechanical in the Northern region, and its value is about the properties of the two species are comparable and same or slightly more than cottonwood in the South. relatively weak compared to others. Balsam poplar Most of its reported properties are somewhat better weighs just 23 pounds per cubic foot at 12 percent than cottonwood. It has a uniform texture and takes moisture content, making it an even lighter wood. stains well. Hardwood Lumber – Aspen FNR-273-W Purdue Extension

Table 1. Common and scientific names, range, preferred sites, and other information about different aspen species. Common and Scientific Range Site Comments Names Quaking Aspen Wide ranging from Newfoundland Adaptable to a variety of Most widely distributed Populus tremuloides Michx. through Alaska in the West, South to soils ranging from moist tree in North America Arizona. In the Midwest South to loamy sands and clay. Northeastern Iowa, northern Illinois Intolerant to shade. to Pennsylvania. Found in some scattered areas in the Appalachian Mountains Big Tooth Aspen Nova Scotia West through southern More site quaking aspen Populus grandidenta Michx. Canada to northeastern North Dakota and prefers well drained then southeast to the Ohio River and upland soils of medium along the mountains to Tennessee and to good quality then to coastal New Jersey. Balsam Poplar The range is similar to quaking Aspen, Prefers moist alluvial The buds are covered Populus balsamifera L. but more restricted in the southern bottomlands and stream with a sticky, amber portions. banks colored resin that has an aromatic bouquet

Range of the bigtooth aspen Range of the quaking aspen

Purdue Agriculture NEW 9/07

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