Moose,
Here's a comparison of the properties of aspen with port oxford cedar taken from
http://www.woodworkerssource.com/wood_library.php:
(1) = Aspen (Populus tremuloides) (2) = Port Oxford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)
Property (1) (2) Unit
----------------------------- ----- ------- -----
Bending Strength 8400 12700 psi
Crushing Strength (Perp.) 370 720 psi
Max. Crushing Strength 4250 6250 psi
Impact Strength 21 28 inches
Stiffness 1180 1700 1000 psi
Work to Maximum Load 8 9 in-lbs/in3
Hardness 350 630 lbs
Shearing Strength 850 1370 psi
Specific Gravity 0.38 0.44
Weight 26 29 lbs/cu.ft.
Density (Air-dry) 26 30 lbs/cu.ft.
Radial Shrinkage 4 5 %
Tangential Shrink. 7 7 %
Volumetric Shrink. 12 10 %
Numbers don't tell the whole story but, the relatively low stiffness and shearing & bending strength would warrant being careful. The low hardness coupled with the poor machining properties listing on the above web site leads me to suspect it's difficult to get a good finish. There's also a blurb about aspen distorting as it dries.
That said, maybe cut some second year shoots (they'll have small branches), dry them (binding the shoots with twine would be wise) then play around with them.... and post how it goes.
Finally, Aspen would make good arrows for vampire hunting- per Wikipedia: "An aspen stake was believed to be one of the few weapons suitable to kill a vampire or a werewolf." :-)
c.d.
