Aspen is one of those domestic woods that gets very little glory -- after all, a wood that makes excellent excelsior is not going to get high marks from furniture manufacturers. But users say this underutilized wood deserves more credit.

Aspen is ideal for producing food containers. It is lightweight and has no odor. The light-colored aspen is frequently used to make cheese containers and baskets and all kinds of crates and boxes. It is an excellent wood for excelsior -- wood wool -- and for pulp and papermaking. It is also used to make brake blocks and for furniture parts and interiors.

Care must be taken in the sanding and finishing of aspen, otherwise the wood can be "wooly." Water-based finishes tend to work better than oil-based finishes.

Availability, as well as cost, are just some of the advantages of aspen. In a finished form, the wood is significantly lower priced than oak and ash. Some aspen logs are cut into highly figured logs and sliced into decorative veneers. The wood can have fantastic crotches with a very attractive mottled figure and streaks of pink, orange and yellow. This highly figured wood is often used for marquetry or other high end uses such as paneling or cabinetry.

The wood dries easily but has a tendency to warp or twist during drying. Experts recommend care in storage to void distortion. Aspen has a low bending and crushing strength and low stiffness. The wood works well with hand and machine tools, but it has a tendency to bind on a saw or tear. Sharp-edged tools are recommended.