Quaking Aspen (Aspen / White Poplar)
Populus tremuloides · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Cooler regions of North America, wide distribution across Canada, Alaska, and the northern/mountainous United States
- Hardness
- 350 lbf (Very Soft)
- Durability
- Non-durable; susceptible to fungal decay, rot, and insect attacks if untreated or exposed to moisture
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Grain Pattern
Straight, fine, uniform grain with soft texture and little to no natural figure
Color & Appearance
Sapwood is creamy white to light ivory, blending gradually into a pale light brown or off-white heartwood; ages slightly darker/yellowish upon exposure to light
Hardness (Janka)
350 lbf (Very Soft)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable; susceptible to fungal decay, rot, and insect attacks if untreated or exposed to moisture
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $2.50 to $4.50 per board foot for rough-sawn lumber
- Wood Age Estimate
- Living tree estimate: approximately 15 to 30 years old based on stem diameter, height, and canopy development
- Sustainability Status
- Least Concern (IUCN); widely abundant across North America, readily available with FSC certification
Common Uses
Pulpwood, paper, matches, wooden boxes/crates, sauna paneling, chopsticks, turned items, utility lumber, and furniture components
Geographic Origin
Cooler regions of North America, wide distribution across Canada, Alaska, and the northern/mountainous United States
Workability
Easy to work with hand and machine tools, though its soft, fuzzy fiber structure can cause woolly surface tearout during planing if tools are dull; glues, nails, and stains well
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains, dyes, clear coats, and sealers well; sanding with fine grit or applying a wood conditioner/sander sealer prior to staining prevents blotchiness
Notable Features
Extremely lightweight, odorless, non-toxic, low thermal conductivity (ideal for sauna interiors), quaking leaves that flutter easily in low wind
