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Poplar & Aspen
2 usd/kg
Poplar and aspen are lightweight, and soft, hardwoods with very good strength to weight. They provide a source of lumber, but are most commonly converted into veneer and plywood. Their relatively low density is very advantageous in engineered wood products for both non-load bearing and structural applications. A sheet of 18 mm poplar plywood, for example, weights around 20 kg, compared to 25 kg for the same product in spruce and over 35 kg for another hardwood, such as beech or birch.
They are often compared to softwoods, such as spruce and pine, which provide a valuable source of construction lumber. Poplar and aspen are similar, but are not as hard, stiff or strong. Also, the tress are not as large and tend to be covered with knots, making the lumber less reliable. So, even though poplar and aspen grown fast and the trees are plentiful, they are not consumed in the same way as spruce and pine.
Perhaps their most familiar application is in matches. Relatively easy to cut and machine, and with good resistance to splitting, uniform density (doesn’t burn too fast or too slow) and high stiffness to weight, they make the perfect matchstick. Poplar is traditionally used to make clogs. Used to protect the feet of fisherman, farmers and craft workers, they provide a low-cost alternative to leather boots. Today, they are officially accredited as safety shoes with the European CE mark.
These woods cannot be used outdoors unless treated in some way. They are vulnerable to rot and insect attack. In wet conditions, they will decay rapidly.
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Mostly used as veneer in packaging and plywood, poplar has a light colour and very uniform appearance. This is desirable in many applications, from interiors to toys and packaging. Once dry, poplar does not have any odour or taste. This is utilised in packaging – boxes, cartons and trays – such as for cheese, chocolates and fruit.
As solid wood, it is a good for lightweight joinery, such as in cabinetmaking, furniture and interiors. It is easy to work, has very good machining properties and laser cuts very well (also called laserply). Similar to spruce, poplar is suitable for use in soundboards in stringed instruments. It has a similar resonance. However, it does not have the same visual appeal and so is often concealed beneath a decorative veneer.
Its lightness and uniform appearance are utilised in model making, too, such as for aeroplanes. It is not as lightweight as balsa, but provides a relatively stiff and strong material suitable for use as construction material and skin (veneer).
In North America, poplar wood also comes from Tulipwood (Liriodendron tulipifera). Also known as yellow poplar, American tulipwood and tulip poplar, colour ranges from creamy white to olive green, which helps to differentiate the timber from true poplar. It is commercially important source of hardwood in North America and yields high-quality lumber and veneer. Like poplar, it is relatively light and soft, with small pores that create a uniform surface.
