Every person has a favorite activity. I like crafting with wood, but I had to work a bit with poplar. And then suddenly the large poplar tree at the dacha began to dry out. It was a shame to throw it away. I decided to put the gun to work. I thought about what they make from poplar, after thinking a little, I sketched out a plan of action. It didn’t work out to make something large out of it, but a table for tea parties in the country and a funny decoration for the garden turned out quite well. And a box for tools and other small items was not superfluous.
Source spilydereva.ru
Features of poplar
The main advantage of poplar - at least for me - is that it is easy to process. The wood is relatively soft, and therefore lends itself well to saws and any other tool.
Also, impregnations and any coatings fit perfectly on poplar. You can't do without a protective agent with this tree, but for me it wasn't a big problem. The tint lay evenly on the wood. The latter, in the end, “played” very beautifully.
I will add that I cut down the tree when it became clear that it would not survive. But the trunk was still quite “fresh”. I had to wait a bit for the poplar wood to dry. Its peculiarity is that after drying the tree significantly decreases in volume. This must be taken into account before starting work.
Source nvo-wood.com.ua
Poplar
Poplar (lat. Populus) is a genus of dioecious (rarely monoecious) deciduous fast-growing trees of the Willow family (Salicaceae).
Spreading
Poplars grow in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere (Holarctic distribution), from the subtropical regions of China, where their center of origin is located, to the boreal zone. In America, they are distributed south to Mexico. Populus ilicifolia is native to East Africa.
In nature, most species grow in river valleys and well-moistened slopes. Aspen (Populus tremula) also inhabits salt licks and former oak and spruce forests. Variegated poplar (Populus heterophylla) can be found on dune sands. In cultivation, poplars grow successfully on any soil.
Poplars require soil richness and aeration, but can withstand waterlogging.
The rapid growth of poplars continues until 40–60 years, after which it slows down. Some species live up to 120–150 years, but usually plants are affected early by various fungal diseases.
Botanical description
Large trees with a height of 40–45 m (up to 60 m) and a trunk diameter of more than 1 meter. The crown is tent-shaped, ovoid, ovoid-pyramidal or pyramidal. The trunk bark is fissured, brownish-gray or dark gray; branches - smooth, gray or olive-gray.
The root system is strong, but mostly superficial, extending far beyond the crown projection.
The leaves are petiolate, alternate, glabrous or pubescent, from lanceolate to broadly ovate, the shape of the leaf depends on the shoot on which it is located and on the position on this shoot, the venation is reticulate.
Poplar processing
When getting started, it is important to pay attention to some points:
- Woodworking tools must be sharp enough. Otherwise, fluffiness will appear on the product.
- Sanding is a separate issue. I do this in several stages. I start with 80-grit paper and gradually work my way up to 400-grit abrasive. As a result, I get a product with a smooth surface.
- Poplar wood itself is not very attractive. The coverage saves the situation.
Let me note right away: I made several cuts from the trunk and spread the central part onto boards. So, here's what you can make from poplar.
Characteristics of wood
The genus Populus, to which poplar belongs, has about 30 species, 15 of which grow in Russia. The wood is characterized by a uniform structure, wide white sapwood, a light brown or yellowish-brown core, and wide, barely noticeable annual layers. Its density is about 450 kg/m3.
This is a medium-drying wood species that is prone to warping during the drying process. The maximum moisture content for water absorption is 12%. The material has low wear resistance and resistance to rotting and other damage. The ability to hold fasteners (nails, screws) is approximately the same as that of aspen or linden.
Black Italian poplar is known for the best technological properties. White is processed worse and gives a fleecy surface. A good option is considered to be gray pyramidal, which is a hybrid of poplar and aspen. It has an expressive texture, a low degree of shrinkage and is resistant to physical influences.
Workshop box
Poplar boards are rarely used in construction. Decorative elements for finishing work, plywood is what is most often made from poplar.
Since I didn’t have very many boards, I made a box out of them. The finished product was coated with impregnation to protect it from moisture. A thing that will always come in handy around the house.
Source livemaster.ru
Poplar building materials
Today, poplar wood grown on special forest plantations is used mainly in the production of plywood and wood-based panels. Laminated plywood, made from aspen or poplar, is a relatively inexpensive, effective material for creating reusable formwork, for example, for creating monolithic concrete structures. Such plywood is produced on a large scale in China, where it finds a wide variety of uses.
Furniture manufacturing
Improvement and development of technologies for manufacturing laminated products makes it possible to compensate for most of the shortcomings characteristic of poplar wood. This is primarily achieved through the use of modern adhesive systems and finishing materials. Domestic and foreign furniture makers successfully use glued furniture panels made of poplar, lined with veneer made from natural valuable species. This allows us to produce high-quality, reliable furniture with excellent reliability indicators, aesthetic beauty and relatively low cost.
Edged board
Edged boards are the most popular common type of lumber, necessary in all areas of construction and finishing work. As a rule, predominantly coniferous wood is used for its production, but there are also products made from poplar. Such edged boards are much cheaper than their coniferous counterparts and are an excellent option for the construction of temporary structures, formwork or, for example, fences. In addition, it can be used to produce wooden decks, pallets, boxes, and many other household products.
Thanks to the popular song of the group “Ivanushki International”, every resident of Russia has heard about poplar fluff - well, “heat, July”, you even remember the tune, right?
But let's figure out how actively poplar is used in the construction of private houses?
At first glance, it seems that a poplar log house is an almost non-existent phenomenon. Interview your friends and it turns out that almost none of them have encountered poplar lumber.
And this is even despite a number of factors speaking in favor of poplar: a) the tree is widespread in Russia; b) grows quickly, fast-growing breed; c) due to the bitterness of poplar, the problem with pest bugs is practically irrelevant ;
d) the price is low and affordable.
First, let's give some more background information about poplar. Let's start with the popular question: “ Are poplar and aspen the same thing?”
". Formally, these are very similar trees, practically relatives, they even smell similar.
Poplar belongs to the willow family, and aspen is one of the types of poplar, it is also called “trembling poplar.”
Previously, we published material about construction from aspen - from it you can find out that although aspen houses are also relatively exotic, bathhouses made from aspen have a certain demand.
The question automatically arises: since these trees are relatives, why don’t we hear about poplar specifically in the context of house building and bathhouse construction?
First of all, these deciduous trees are still a little different from each other.
Crafts for the soul: two tea tables
I’ll note right away that I initially intended to make one table – reminiscent of a coffee table for a country house. The idea was spinning in my head because I saw one of these in one of the photos. In addition, a large snag from an uprooted tree lay idle in the workshop. This is where I found a use for it. Their driftwood made a great leg. It was only necessary to treat its surface and select paint to match the poplar.
The tabletop was made from sawn wood. I “corrected” the shape a little, because just round is boring. The result was wavy edges. I treated the surface: sanded it and coated it with primer. All that remains is to secure the tabletop to the driftwood. I would like to note one more excellent property of poplar wood - it definitely makes it easier to use. The wood sticks well.
The idea for another poplar product—a table for tea parties in the garden—came along the way. What remains is a cut of smaller diameter. I adapted it for the tabletop. And the leg was a stump in the garden. Everything turned out to be quite simple.
Source na-dache.pro
The video shows an example of creating an exclusive table made of poplar:
Versatility of use
Low strength does not allow the use of poplar logs and beams to create load-bearing structures. However, its scope of application is quite wide, even in the construction of concrete houses. If you haven’t yet guessed what it’s all about, let’s give you a hint: inexpensive, moisture-resistant wood is used to make laminated plywood, which in turn is used to make formwork elements.
Most often, poplar is used for the manufacture of various containers, the production of chipboard, furniture panels and plywood, and waste and defective lumber is sent to paper mills. Another area of application is matches. They are most often made from aspen, since cheaper material is difficult to find.
Softness is not always a disadvantage. This quality allows the use of poplar wood to create original garden sculptures, decorative vases, and carved elements that do not bear load. So, if you wish, you can make magnificent carved panels to decorate your dining room or living room.
Despite its fairly good resistance to moisture, poplar wood is significantly inferior to other species in terms of hardness, strength and other indicators. If you are looking for high-quality lumber that can become stronger over the years, check out the properties of Siberian larch wood on the website and compare the performance of larch boards with similar poplar products. In most cases, materials can be combined, so you have the opportunity to build a beautiful and durable home.
07.25.18 Company news
Lesinter
Despite the fact that poplar is one of the most common trees in the world, lumber from it is not so common. The main reason is the wood is too soft. However, it can be used, you just need to take into account the properties of the material and carry out the appropriate processing. Due to its wide growing area and high growth rate, building materials from this tree species are much cheaper than from any other.
What conclusions did you come to?
This is not all that can be made from poplar. For me it turned out to be a very interesting tree. Therefore, I don’t plan to stop there. In the near future I want to make a set of kitchen furniture from it: a table and chairs. At the same time, I’ll try staining. This procedure in relation to poplar is not very simple, as it requires adherence to technology and time. But such processing will well emphasize the texture of the wood.
Question
Write in the comments - have you ever worked with poplar? Share your experience: what products have you been able to make from this wood?
Coating
Poplar wood is known to take paint very well. It is poplar that is chosen for the manufacture of products that are subsequently planned to be painted. It is quite resistant to rotting. And if you sand it, coat it with primer and paint it correctly, it will last a long time as a piece of furniture.
If you plan to make a poplar product that will be placed outside, you will need to refinish the coating every few years. The specific period depends on the type of product and its location.
Poplar wood: nuances of staining
Staining a poplar is a completely different matter. Without pre-treatment, poplar wood becomes stained when stained. In order for the stain to apply well, it is absolutely necessary to properly prepare all surfaces of the product. Cover them with a special primer for subsequent application of stain. Thanks to this, the stain will lie much smoother. And it will better show the natural structure of the tree.
As a rule, gel stains are more suitable than impregnation stains. Water-based stain may appear somewhat cloudy on the surface of the wood. In this case, a little sanding will be necessary before applying the varnish.
Imitation of noble wood varieties
Some craftsmen use poplar to imitate more noble types of wood. For example, maple. However, this is not so easy to do. Of course, these two types of wood have somewhat similar grain structures. But the eye of a person experienced in these matters will almost always be able to see the difference.
If you still want to imitate another type of wood - the same maple - if possible, choose a material that does not have gray or greenish areas. If fibers of a similar color are occasionally encountered, there is nothing to worry about. But poplar wood often has large areas of darker color than the creamy white base.
To make poplar wood more closely resemble the type of wood you want, first try staining a small piece of poplar. From the same board from which you made the product. Don't forget to prime this "tester" with a stain primer. The same as for the product itself. This way you can select the optimal staining technology on a small test piece. And don’t ruin the entire product by making a mistake.
How often have you worked with poplar? What features does this material have? What advice could you give on working with him? Share your experience in the comments!
Poplar. Useful properties for humans
It’s not for nothing that poplar is planted in cities. It is a powerful oxygen producer, and it also collects 20-30 kg of dust per year. Poplar absorbs carbon dioxide no less than it emits oxygen.
In addition, poplar has a high growth rate. If the trunk is damaged, it quickly produces young shoots in the damaged area.
Poplar, in addition to performing the function of “city lungs,” is useful in the treatment of certain diseases.
It is useful to treat eczema and other skin lesions with an infusion of poplar buds, bark and leaves. To prepare the infusion, take a teaspoon of the listed ingredients and pour boiling water into a 0.5 liter container. Let it cool completely. We wash the wounds.
Freshly squeezed juice from the leaves will help relieve toothache. To do this, briefly apply a swab soaked in juice to the sore tooth.
There is a false opinion that poplar fluff is a strong allergen. In fact, poplar fluff absorbs and transfers pollen from various flowering plants.
Ointments from green poplar buds, together with butter and internal fat, are prepared and used for arthritis, boils, and skin diseases.
A decoction of poplar bark is used for colds, since the bark contains anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and wound-healing substances.
Also, the substances that make up the bark have a calming effect on the nervous system.
Learn more about the medicinal properties of poplar in the video.
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