What can be made from aspen. The use of aspen wood in various industries

Aspen wood is quite soft and dense. It is easily processed with a sharp tool, it can be sawn, milled, peeled and cut. Gluing also occurs without difficulty, the connection with nails is satisfactory. The surface of the aspen is easy to process, but at the same time it is difficult to polish.

Aspen materials enter the market in the form of round timber, shavings and lumber. Despite the relatively low price, aspen edged board has undeniable advantages. If the wood of the aspen edged board is dried and processed in accordance with all the rules, then the products made from it will be very durable. This board is resistant to moisture and has a light shade. This material is not subject to warping, is resistant to splitting and cracks. In view of these properties, aspen edged board is used in the manufacture of furniture, floors, in the decoration of baths, steam rooms and saunas. In addition, aspen floors do not burn feet in a hot steam room. Aspen boards are not subject to decay and mold.

During the construction of log cabins, the best qualities of aspen as a wood material are revealed. Having built, for example, a bathhouse, the owners will be satisfied, because the bathhouse will become practical and aesthetic. Aspen material is characterized by increased resistance to steam and wetting. Even under conditions of regular temperature changes, aspen does not crack like other softwood lumber. If you use special antiseptics, then the service life of the log house will increase many times, even without additional repair and maintenance. Proper treatment of wood for a long time protects against insects and mold.

Scope of aspen wood

Since ancient times, light and durable dishes have been made from aspen. To make a carved ladle or spoon, craftsmen steam the workpieces in boiling water. After that, it is cut with sharp tools as easily as a turnip. They say that cabbage soup and pickles do not sour in aspen dishes. Apparently, there are some substances in the wood that kill putrefactive bacteria. And it was not in vain that in some places the housewives put aspen logs in sauerkraut.

Wood is also good because it remains in water for a long time, and when dried, it does not crack or warp. Therefore, from ancient times, well log cabins were knitted from aspen logs. To build a bath, you can’t find the best wood: it is strong and durable, retains heat well, and does not burn the body when touched - therefore there will be no need to lay a rug on the shelves. Even in regions rich in timber, it was preferred to build bathhouses from aspen, however, such preference was given to it only where aspen trees with straight trunks and healthy wood were found.

At the root, aspen is short-lived, as it is quite easily affected by core rot. Therefore, it is necessary to cut a tree at the age of 40-45 years.

Previously, the domes and roofs of temples and other buildings were covered with aspen plowshare (all the domes of churches in Kizhi are covered with aspen chips), which eventually became silvery from the sun and rain. Such a roof is not only beautiful, but also strong, it does not rot for a long time.

An interesting case speaks about what kind of fortress this tree can be. Not so long ago, in the Leningrad region, they found a house, cut down more than a hundred years ago from aspen. It has been excellently preserved. From dry, like stone logs, an ax bounced with a clang.

scientific classification		Physical properties
Domain:	eukaryotes	Average density:	450 kg/m³
Kingdom:	Plants	Density limits:	360-600 kg/m³
The Department:	Flowering	Longitudinal shrinkage:	0,4 %
Class:	Dicotyledonous	Radial shrinkage:	3,3 %
Order:	Malpighian colored	Tangential shrinkage:	8,2 %
Family:	willow	Radial swelling:	0,13 %
Genus:	Poplar	Tangential swelling:	0,25-0,31 %
International scientific name		Flexural strength:	76 N/mm²
Populus tremula L., 1753		Compressive strength:	36 N/mm²
type view		Tensile strength:	69 N/mm²
		Thermal conductivity:	0.17-0.19 W/K m
		Fuel Properties
		19.8 MJ/kg

Useful tables

Moisture conductivity coefficients of aspen in comparison with other breeds

cutting direction, temperature, 0С	Larch (core)	Birch
Tangential: 20


Radial: 20

Indicators of density and conditional density of aspen

Density coefficient at different humidity levels

Humidity level, %	Density coefficient, kg/m3
10	490
20	510
30	540
40	580
50	620
60	660
70	710
80	750
90	790
100	830
In fresh cut condition	760 (82)

Data on the volumetric weight of aspen with a change in its moisture content

Characteristics of aspen wood as a source of thermal energy

Aspen is a deciduous tree. Due to its properties, it remains in demand, despite the great competition in the construction market. The structure of the tree is soft, light, so it tolerates processing well. This is a durable lumber. In dry form, it is not inferior in strength even to concrete, and over time it gains weight and becomes only stronger.

Aspen lumber

Advantages and disadvantages of the material

Aspen grows in moist soil, usually gains mass, but is often damaged by rot and disease. Under the influence of biological characteristics, the properties of the material appear. The advantages of lumber are:

Resistance to prolonged exposure to moisture. In ancient times, shingles were made from aspen to cover the roofs of houses and important buildings. Such coatings helped to protect up to several decades. Even the most modern materials do not always have such durability. The maximum term of a tile reaches 20 years. Also, the lower rows of log cabins were made earlier, since they work in the most difficult conditions.
Low thermal conductivity. Aspen has large intercellular space distances, which reduces thermal conductivity.
Manufacturability. Wood is easy to process, working with it is only a pleasure. Nothing sticks to the tools, which eliminates their constant cleaning during operation.
Strength. Dried aspen has very good strength properties.

For an objective opinion about aspen lumber, it is also necessary to explain their shortcomings:

Small yield of material. The tree grows on very wet soil, so its central part often rots. This reduces the yield of material after processing, also increasing the cost of timber and boards.
Warping on drying. The high initial moisture content of wood makes it difficult to dry. Shrinkage reaches 20%, there is a high probability of warping, cracking. Drying lumber is required in compliance with all technologies, modes, only on special equipment.

Too little output of useful products during wood processing and undeservedly low cost for aspen sawn timber leads to this. That few people undertake the processing of this breed. It is much easier and, of course, more cost-effective to give preference to conifers. Labor for this will require much less, but the profit is higher at times.

An additional reason for the small number of aspen lumber on the market is the difficulty in harvesting. This process requires specialized machinery due to the waterlogging of the wood. You can't do it all year round.

Types of lumber from aspen

The edged board is not afraid of moisture at all, it does not rot when placed in a humid environment, with proper drying it dries very quickly, after which it becomes stronger than conifers. These characteristics affect the areas of use of lumber. First of all, these are wooden log cabins, in the first crown, since there the tree should be as resistant to rot and moisture as possible.

After drying to a moisture content of 20 - 22%, the board becomes very durable, comparable to concrete. It is actively used for load-bearing structures - ceilings, beams, etc.

Unedged board

Unedged board has a strictly fixed thickness - no more than 25 mm. It is used for construction only under the condition that the external characteristics of the object do not play a primary role - these are formwork, fastenings, fences.

Application area

Aspen is used in agriculture - for arranging log cabins of wells, cellars. Roofing shingles are made from it, otherwise shingles. She also goes to the plowshare - special planks designed to cover church domes.

Aspen, like linden, is suitable for finishing saunas and baths, for creating carved products.

After drying, the weight of the wood is small, it becomes buoyant, and therefore it is used for the production of oars.

Usage

Also, aspen is an approach for creating barrels, containers for products. It can be used to make frames, dishes, kitchen utensils, jewelry and much more.

Roofs, for the creation of which aspen boards or at least elements were used, have been excellent for centuries. The roof dries quickly after rain, does not rot. Over time, the wood becomes an unusual pleasant gray-silver shade, which favorably emphasizes the texture and naturalness of the products.

Products, furniture, finishes made of aspen boards have excellent performance properties. These lumber become the best option for residential homes and baths. With the correct laying technology, care, the tree can last a very long time.

Aspen belongs to the willow poplar family. Like all other representatives of this genus, the breed is short-lived. On average, aspen lives for about 70 years, although there are also 150-year-old centenarians.

Of all the poplar species, it is the most unpretentious to natural and climatic conditions; it grows both in floodplain meadows and on dry soils. It is distinguished by high frost resistance, it can be found even beyond the Arctic Circle. However, it has the highest productivity and durability on rich and moist soils.

Aspen is a slender tree up to 35 m high, with a trunk diameter reaching one meter, and sometimes more. The root system is branched, but not penetrating to great depths. The bark is smooth, greenish-gray.

It grows throughout the CIS, and in terms of occupied area is second only to birch.

Mature standing trees are often affected by rot, so aspen wood is harvested from trees up to 30-50 years old.

Texture

The tree belongs to sapwood, straight-grained, has a texture without a pronounced pattern. The surface of the wood is shiny and smooth. Annual rings are visible on cuts due to the fact that there is a yellow strip between them. The core rays are very small, imperceptible. Only on radial cuts they can be seen in the form of shiny stripes. The color of the wood is very light, almost white, sometimes with a slight bluish or greenish tinge.

Physical and mechanical properties

Aspen belongs to the tree species of low density. In a dry state, this value ranges from 400 to 500 kg / m3. In terms of hardness, this is a very soft rock. Abrasion resistance is quite high, and is close to oak wood. The viscosity is high, under the influence of shock loads, the aspen does not crack and does not prick.

Wood is resistant to moisture, easily absorbs it and, also, easily gives it away, well resists rot and insects. In a dry place, aspen products can serve for more than one century, and from time to time they become only harder and stronger.

Drying

A freshly cut tree has a high moisture content, and as a result, the shrinkage is quite significant, it can be up to 40%. In the process of drying, it does not crack, but is subject to warping. Therefore, it is better to tie aspen boards into bags and dry them like that. This can reduce the number of warped boards at the exit. In addition, the shorter the board, the less likely it is to “twist” it. Before drying, be sure to remove the bark, otherwise there is a high probability of rot.

Treatment

Aspen processing has its own specific properties. Due to its softness, it lends itself easily to sharp tools, but due to the fibrous structure, it is quite difficult to achieve a clean surface. For the same reason, it is difficult to polish the surface of aspen products with high quality. It cuts cleanly across the fibers, although it is more difficult than linden, and chipping is also possible. Small parts should be made carefully.

Impregnation with dyes and mordants lends itself well, the color holds firmly. The bonding process is not difficult.

Good starting material for turning work, easy to turn.

Products

On an industrial scale, aspen wood is used to make matches, and as a raw material for pulp and paper mills. A very large amount of wood is used in the production of chipboard, plywood, and veneer.

Aspen is resistant to moisture. In the old days, log cabins of wells, cellars and baths were made from it, various utensils for baths were cut - ladles, tubs, buckets, troughs.

Due to the low thermal conductivity, the absence of resins and the light color of aspen wood, it is an excellent material for wall cladding in baths, for making shelves and benches.

Aspen has always been considered an excellent material for making ax handles and hammer handles. It makes good cuttings for shovels, brooms, rakes, etc. The dishes carved from this wood are practical and beautiful. But for the manufacture of furniture, it is usually not used, although small items (small shelves, small benches) can be made. In addition, various decorations for stair railings, balcony railings are made from aspen, and children's toys are made.

Wood carvers use aspen blanks for products that will later be decorated with geometric carvings.

Anatoly Borisenko

In this article, we will talk about the important - aspen lumber, its uses and characteristics. Let's say right away that the tree is peculiar, the attitude of various builders to it is ambiguous. Aspen lumber cannot be considered universal, they have their advantages and disadvantages, and therefore they should be used only in certain structures and for certain types of work. In order for you to make your choice conscious, you should briefly mention the properties of aspen lumber.

Aspen - advantages and disadvantages

Aspen grows on moist and waterlogged soils, grows rapidly and increases its mass, and is quite often affected by various diseases and rot. It is from these growing conditions and biological characteristics that the properties of lumber are formed. What can be briefly said about them?

Wood is quite resistant to prolonged exposure to moisture. Even in ancient times, shingles were made from it to cover the roofs of houses and places of worship, such coatings served for many decades. By the way, not all of the most modern "innovative" materials can boast of such durability. Both bituminous tiles and metal tiles have a warranty period of twenty years on average. Feel the difference? By the way, it was from aspen that the lower rows of log cabins once laid down, the lower rows "work" in the most difficult conditions.
Little thermal conductivity. Aspen lumber has a large intercellular space, which significantly reduces the thermal conductivity.
Manufacturability. Aspen lumber is easy to process and a pleasure to work with, you can trust us. Resin does not stick to cutting tools, there is no need to clean them often.
physical strength. Well-dried aspen lumber has high physical strength.

Now, for objectivity, you need to talk about the shortcomings of these lumber.

Small output of lumber. Due to the fact that the tree grows on waterlogged soils, the core is prone to rot, and the yield of commercial lumber is reduced. This affects the price of boards and timber.
Warping during drying. The increased initial moisture content of the wood makes it difficult to dry. Shrinkage can reach up to 20%, the risks of warping and cracking are high. It is necessary to dry lumber from wood very skillfully, strictly observing the regimes, and only in special dryers.

By the way, a small yield of lumber and an undeservedly low price (in our opinion) lead to the fact that few people are engaged in the manufacture of lumber from aspen. It is much easier and more profitable to deal with conifers, there is much less work with them, and they give more profit. And another reason for the small number of aspen materials on the market is the complexity of harvesting: aspen grows on waterlogged soils, for its harvesting you need to use special equipment, and this is not possible all year round. Now that you already have an idea about the properties of aspen lumber, you can talk about where it is used.

Where is aspen used in construction

Baths and saunas. Aspen lumber is almost the ideal material for these buildings. For a log house, you can use a bar, all interior decoration - an aspen board is used. Unfortunately, today such a bath is quite rare, but in vain. The aspen bath has a long service life, it is warm, has no foreign odors, and has an excellent appearance. It must be borne in mind that in baths and saunas there is constantly high humidity, namely, aspen boards have one of the best characteristics in terms of resistance to prolonged exposure to moisture. All "bath accessories" can be made from aspen boards. If you are a real lover of traditional Russian baths, then you should make a wooden barrel for cold water, shelves for a steam room, chairs, benches. From aspen, you can make ladles, carved hangers, a container for steaming brooms. Of course, the upholstery of the internal walls and the floor are also made of aspen lumber.
Wooden interior partitions. In the future, they can be pasted over with wallpaper, upholstered with clapboard or plastered.

Floor. From aspen boards, in addition to the bath, you can make the floor in open gazebos and verandas. Now it has become fashionable to lay paths and sidewalks with boards, to make them in the form of wooden paving stones. Aspen beams and boards are the best solution for such structures. They will serve for a very long time, and at a cost they will completely satisfy most users.
Molded products. Skirting boards, platbands, fillets, etc. are very popular. Products have excellent decorative characteristics, they are easy and pleasant to work with.
Rafter system. The aspen crate is no worse than the crate made of coniferous wood. Boards can be sawn into slats - it will be possible to save cubic capacity. In terms of strength, aspen lumber is allowed to be used to create a roof by the building codes and rules that exist today.

Aspen has a lot of properties. But not every builder will be happy if he receives an order to build a building from this tree.

Positive properties of aspen

However, not everything is so bad. Aspen also has positive qualities, thanks to which it can be used in construction.

The first positive property of aspen is good strength. If the tree is well dried, then according to this very important indicator, it can even be compared with concrete. And over time, the aspen building only grows stronger, becoming heavier.

Another equally important positive property of aspen is moisture resistance and, accordingly, resistance to decay. If the tree itself grows in a humid environment and this inevitably rots right during its growth, then its wood can just withstand the negative effects of moisture for quite a long time. If dried aspen boards accidentally fall into a humid environment, they may temporarily lose their properties. But then, when they become dry again, all the lost properties will be restored.

Another positive property of aspen is the ability to exude a pleasant aroma. It is less tart than the smell of coniferous trees, and does not increase when the air in the room is heated. Therefore, baths are often built from aspen, and the walls of the steam room are lined with aspen boards.

And, finally, one cannot fail to mention such a property of aspen lumber as a low price. True, there is also a more expensive high-class aspen, and not everyone can afford it.

Negative properties of aspen

Often, professionals even refuse to work if they know that they have to deal with aspen. After all, many properties of wood of this species are negative.

First of all, it is worth mentioning such a negative property as an excessive amount of moisture contained in the structure. The core of the aspen trunk, as a rule, rots because of this. Moreover, the process of decay occurs even before the tree is cut down. But this is only the beginning of all problems. When deepening into the processing process, it turns out that only the top of the tree trunk is suitable for this. It can reach a length of four meters. All the same moisture contained in the structure makes aspen wood dry. As a result, one edged board has a very large weight.

In any case, if a person chooses aspen wood for building his house or for repair work, then more than half of the purchased boards will simply have to be thrown away, since they will not be suitable for work at all. Many of them will be crooked. And only a small percentage of the aspen board can be further processed.