In France, poplars account for 274 000 ha. Although valued for their timber, they are widely distributed throughout France. They are often found near water, or cultivated to line avenues and for use as quick, effective windbreaks. Poplars are fast growing, maruting at 20 or 30 years and reaching up to 30m in height. Their trunks are very cylindrical.
Wood description
Sawn timber is white to pale-greyish coloured, straight grained or slightly curved with a fine, sometimes fluffy but uniform texture.
Preserving
It can be treated easily using impregnation, high temperature treatment or surface coating, which allows it to be used as Class 3 timber (exposed to humid atmosphere).
Physical and mechanical properties
Poplar is a soft and very light wood with long fibres. It is moderately fibrous, adherent and unlikely to split, while it offers good levels of mechanical resistance, considering its weight. It is very resistant during bending.
| Average density | 460 kg/mᶟ |
| Total average volumetric shrinkage | 12.9 % |
| Brinell hardness perpendicular to the fibres | 12 N/mm² |
| Modulus of rupture under bending | 65 MPa |
| Breaking stress under axial compression | 33 MPa |
| Modulus of longitudinal elasticity under bending | 8 800 MPa |
Conditions of implementation
Grading
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Poplar / Visual aspect
Main uses
Poplar is suitable for bedding, framework, plywood and mouldings as well as interior joinery especially blackboards and furniture. It is also ideal for crates, pallets and light and heavy packaging.
