|
|
| Poplar |
|
PHOTO |
 |
| DESCRIPTION |
Poplar heartwood is usually creamy-white to gray in color, sometimes pale brown or pinkish-brown. Grain is straight and can be woolly. Texture is fine and even.
Weight ranges from 23lbs to 33lbs per cu.ft. |
| BOTANICAL NAME |
Populus Serotina |
|
OTHER NAMES
|
Robusta, Finnish Aspen, Swedish Aspen, French Aspen, Cucumber |
| MECHANICAL PROPERTIES |
Very low stiffness and resistance to shock loads. Low bending strength and medium crush strength. Poor steam bending characteristics. |
| WORKING PROPERTIES |
Slight blunting effect on cutters. Very sharp, thin cutters are required to overcome the woolly texture and produce a good finish. Nailing and screwing are satisfactory. Takes stain poorly, usually produces blotchy results. Takes paint, varnish and polish satisfactorily. |
| DURABILITY |
Poplar is perishable and susceptible to insect attack. Heartwood is moderately resistant to preservative treatment. Sapwood is permeable. |
| SEASONING |
Dries rapidly, but knots are inclined to split. Medium movement. |
| USES |
Due to tough, woolly, non-splintering nature, it is suitable for rough usage such as the bottoms of wagons and carts. Also used in furniture framing, drawers, toys, flooring, boxes and crates, veneers and plywood. |
| COMMENTS |
Several subspecies: P. Nigra, P. Canadensis, P. robusta, P. Tremula |
GO BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE
| Additional Photos |
front view |
| Above: Fireplace mantel built from poplar by Rob Pelc. This wood is great for this application as it takes paint well and is easy to work worth. It is also more stable than pine in this situation where heat can be a problem. |
|
