Aspen (Quaking Aspen)
Populus tremuloides · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- North America, spanning across Canada and the northern and western United States.
- Hardness
- 350 lbf (Very Soft)
- Durability
- Non-durable, highly susceptible to decay, rotting, and insect attack when exposed to moisture.
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Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a fine, uniform texture and relatively indistinct growth rings.
Color & Appearance
Pale white to light grayish-brown heartwood, with nearly white sapwood showing little differentiation between the two. Low natural luster.
Hardness (Janka)
350 lbf (Very Soft)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable, highly susceptible to decay, rotting, and insect attack when exposed to moisture.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- Low cost, typically ranging from $2.00 to $4.00 per board foot.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently harvested or fresh sample, showing minimal surface aging or oxidation.
- Sustainability Status
- Least Concern status on the IUCN Red List, widely abundant, fast-growing, and not CITES listed.
Common Uses
Paper pulp, oriented strand board (OSB), crating, boxes, plywood core stock, matches, and rustic paneling.
Geographic Origin
North America, spanning across Canada and the northern and western United States.
Workability
Very easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though it has a tendency to fuzz or tear out during planing due to its soft and cottony fibers; glues and finishes well.
Finish Recommendations
Takes paints, stains, and clear finishes well, though sanding with progressively finer grits is necessary to counteract the fuzzy grain texture.
Notable Features
Lightweight, odorless, tasteless, low density, and burns with very little smoke; prone to fuzzy surfaces when machined.
