Aspen for framing?

[Fredh]

Has anyone had any experience using aspen or poplar for framing (2x4, 2x6, etc)?  What about for b & b siding?

....Fred

[Jeff]

Check out this thread from this summer.

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,34030.0.html

[blaze83]

read my mind Jeff 8) 8)

you admin types are right on top of things as usuall   :D :D :D

[Fredh]

I went to that thread you suggested, Jeff.  I'm guessing the answer to my question is 'yes you can use aspen for framing and siding'!!!

WOW!  blaze83 I am truly impressed! 

Ironically, my question came from the fact that I have a lot of aspen on my property was thinking of building a workshop using it- nothing as elaborate as what you and your dad built.  I wish I had started mine 15 years ago when I was your age.

One thing I have to check is if the Building Inspectors here in Ontario will let me use ungraded lumber.

Now.....all I gotta do is buy a sawmill.

[blaze83]

Hi Fred,

yes, the aspen works just fine for the framing material, i'm using tulip poplar for my board and baton siding, not sure if aspen would work or not....one thing I found that helped was when I cut my framing material.  I cut evrything and inch over size for width...my 2X6 studs were actually cut at 6 1/2 inches, then stacked and stickered and allowed to dray for about 4 months. When I was ready to start my construction I loaded them back on the mill and trimmed them down to the normal 5 1/2 inch width.  was a little extra work, but sure made the boards a lot nicer to frame with. I did the same thing with my joists,  I put them with the crowns up, trimmed that side and marked it with a carpenters pencil, then trimmed the other side. when I rolled out my joists I looked for my pencil marks, ensuring I got the crown up. good luck on your project...It is a very nice feeling to be able to look at the shop and know we cut the lumber ourselves,  in Ohio we still don't have a bunch of  permits to pull so I got by the aspen no problem.

God bless,

Steve