The Marketability of Aspen Studs

The utilization of aspen for building studs is an important contribution to the softwood lumber supply and represents an improvement in the utilization of this former weed tree . The fiber-using forest products manufacturers are reluctant to change their production facilities to use aspen residues until they are assured of the marketing success of the aspen stud and know that residues will be available on a regular and consistent basis. A short marketing study was made using a questionnaire mailed to the U.S. wholesalers who have sold the production of the North American Stud Company mill at Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada, to get some idea of general market acceptance for the 30 million feet shipped into the United States by July 1973. A report of this marketing study should give some idea of the viability of the aspen stud and serve as an indicator to other firms in the United States and Canada who are gearing up for aspen stud production