Poplar — Identification, Uses and Properties
Populus p.p. Salicaceae
Sawn timber appearance grading According to French standard NF EN 975-2 (November 2004) Possible grading for square-edged timber: Choice 1, choice 2, choice 3, choice 4 Visual structure grading According to European standard EN 1912 (2012) and associated national standards (see explanatory note), strength classes C18, C22, C24 or C27 can be provided by visual grading. Strength classes C18 or C24 can be provided by visual grading according to French standard NF B 52-001-1 (2011).
The strong tendancy of Poplar to be wooly makes its finish delicate.
HARDWOOD NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE MATCHES
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Populus p.p.
Family
Salicaceae
Wood type
Hardwood
Local Names
Pappel (Germany), Alamo (Spain), Cottonwood (United States), Peuplier (France), Pioppo (Italy), Poplar (United Kingdom), forestry and timber centre, Châlons-en-Champagne (France). (Outdoor covering (sheltered) in heat-treated Poplar, regional)
Origin Region
North America, Europe
Main End Uses
Matches · Framing · Boxes and crates · Veneer for back or face of plywood · Veneer for interior of plywood · Built-in furniture or mobile item · Moulding · Fibre or particle boards · Pulp
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
White
Texture
Fine
Grain
Straight
Sapwood
Not demarcated
Interlocked Grain
Absent
Notes
Wood is white, often greyish or very pale brown.
Wood Identifier App
Identify Poplar and more with the app
Snap a photo and get instant AI-powered species recognition. Available on Google Play and the App Store.
Log Description
Diameter
30 to 60 cm cm
Sapwood Thickness
Not applicable cm
Buoyancy
Not applicable
Log Conservation
Low (treatment necessary)
Diameter
11.8 to 23.6 in in
Sapwood Thickness
Not applicable in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
0.45 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
28.1 lb/ft³
Monnin Hardness
1.3
Janka Hardness
390 lbf
Janka Hardness
1,735 N
Volumetric Shrinkage Coefficient
0.45 % / %
Tangential Shrinkage
8.3 %
Radial Shrinkage
4.8 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
1.7
Fibre Saturation Point
30 %
Thermal Conductivity
0.16 W/m·K
Thermal Conductivity
0.092 BTU/(h·ft·°F)
Lower Heating Value
18,430 MJ/kg
Lower Heating Value
7,923 BTU/lb
Crushing Strength
35 MPa
Crushing Strength
5,076 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
62 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
8,992 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
9,800 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
1,421,370 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Class 5 - non-durableDry Wood Borers
Class S - susceptible (risk in all the wood) Cross sections of Populus albaTermites
Class S - susceptibleTreatability
Class 3 - poorly treatableUse Class
Class 1 - inside (no risk of dampness)Preservation Requirements
Against Dry Wood Borers
This wood requires appropriate preservation treatmentTemporary Humidification
This wood requires appropriate preservation treatmentNotes
This species is listed in the NF EN 350 standard. Treatability of heartwood is variable.Drying Schedule & Risks
Drying Rate
Rapid to normal
Risk Distortion
Slight risk
Risk Case Hardening
Yes
Risk Checking
Slight risk
Risk Collapse
Yes
Suggested Schedule
Schedule #3 (see explanatory note)
Sawing & Machining
Blunting Effect
Normal
Machining Tools
Ordinary
Suitability Peeling
Good
Suitability Slicing
Good
Notes
Keep tools very sharp to prevent fuzzy surfaces.Assembling & Finishing
Nailing Screwing
Good
Fire Safety & Ratings
French Grading Thick Gt14mm
M3 (moderately flammable) Thickness < 14 mm: M4 (readily flammable) Euroclass grading. D-s2, d0 Default grading for solid wood that meets requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber in vertical uses and ceilings with minimal mean density of 0.35 and minimal thickness of 22 mm.
French Grading Thick Lt14mm
M4 (readily flammable) Euroclass grading. D-s2, d0 Default grading for solid wood that meets requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber in vertical uses and ceilings with minimal mean density of 0.35 and minimal thickness of 22 mm.
Euroclass
D-s2, d0 Default grading for solid wood that meets requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber in vertical uses and ceilings with minimal mean density of 0.35 and minimal thickness of 22 mm.
CITES & Trade Restrictions
CITES Status
No trade restrictions
Trade Notes
Poplars come from the temperate area of the northern
Back to Species Library
Completeness: 9.2 / 10