Evaluation of Canadian Prairie-Grown Hybrid Poplar for High Value Solid Wood Products

Studies were carried out to evaluate the suitability of Canadian prairie-grown, short-rotation hybrid poplar for the manufacture of high value solid wood products, including appearance grade lumber, plywood, laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and oriented strandboard (OSB). For appearance grade lumber applications, hybrid poplar was found to be an attractive wood as it machined and finished well. This wood can be finished to take on a number of different looks or to resemble other species. Hybrid poplar would appear suitable in applications such as millwork, mouldings, turnings and bedroom furniture where other softer hardwood species such as red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) and yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) are currently being used. Hybrid poplar veneer was suitable for manufacturing high quality plywood, either used by itself, or mixed with other species such as aspen (Populus tremuloides Mich.) or spruce (Picea spp.). If the hybrid poplar veneer is stress graded, a portion of the veneer would be suitable for manufacturing structural grade LVL. Hybrid poplar can be processed commercially using procedures similar to those used for manufacturing aspen plywood and LVL. Properties of OSB manufactured from hybrid poplar were fully equivalent to those of OSB manufactured from aspen. Hybrid poplar can be substituted for aspen in OSB at any level with no apparent effect on panel properties.