Poplar for Timber Construction: Innovation from Granada

In the fertile riversides of Granada in southern Spain, a quiet transformation is taking place. Known for its rich soils and abundant groundwater, the Vega of Granada has long been an agricultural landscape. Today, however, the region is becoming a center for a new industry - one that combines forestry, research, wood processing, and sustainable construction.

At the heart of this transformation is an unexpected place: a historic sugar factory that now houses a modern wood research laboratory at the University of Granada. Here, scientists, engineers, and students are working to revive a local timber economy - using advanced research and practical sawmilling technology to bring structural wood back into the construction sector.

And one of the key tools supporting this effort is a Wood-Mizer LT40WIDE sawmill.

Poplar: A Tree Shaped by the Landscape

The presence of poplar trees across the Granada banks is not accidental. Their history is closely connected to the agricultural development of the region.

More than a century ago, the Vega became one of Spain’s most important areas for sugar beet cultivation. But the fertile riversides were also prone to seasonal flooding. Poplar plantations offered a practical solution. Unlike many other crops, poplar trees tolerate water-saturated soils and periodic flooding. Over time, they became a defining feature of the landscape.

Today, these poplar stands represent an important but underused resource.

“Poplar is perfectly adapted to this territory,” explains Antolino Gallego, researcher and professor at the University of Granada. “Historically it helped manage the water and protect the agricultural economy. Now we are rediscovering its potential as a structural material for buildings.”

From Research to Timber Construction

Researchers in Granada are working to transform this local resource into a modern building material. By applying advanced material analysis techniques - originally developed in aerospace engineering - the team studies the internal structure and mechanical properties of wood with high precision.

Traditionally, poplar wood in the region was mainly used for pallets and packaging - applications focused on cutting speed and volume rather than quality.

The research program in Granada is changing that perspective. By studying wood properties such as knot structure, density, and strength, the team aims to classify poplar for structural applications. This approach allows local timber to move from low-value products toward engineered beams and other high-performance construction materials.

But turning research into real industry requires more than laboratory experiments. It also requires the ability to process logs into lumber and test materials under real production conditions.

And this is where sawmilling becomes essential.

The Bottleneck: A Lack of Sawmills

Although Granada still has abundant timber resources, the region’s sawmilling capacity has nearly disappeared.

In the mid-20th century, the province had around 40 sawmills. Today, only a few remain in operation.

This lack of primary processing has become a major obstacle to developing a regional timber industry. Without sawmills capable of cutting logs into boards and structural elements, local wood cannot easily enter the construction supply chain.

To address this bottleneck, the research center installed a Wood-Mizer LT40WIDE portable sawmill.

A Practical Tool for Research and Training

The choice of the LT40WIDE was strategic. The machine offers the flexibility required for research while also providing the capacity needed to process large logs.

With its WIDE cutting head, the sawmill can handle logs up to 90 cm in diameter and up to 8 meters in length, allowing researchers to process large poplar stems commonly found in the region.

At the same time, the sawmill is simple to operate, making it an ideal tool for teaching students and training professionals.

“The operation of the Wood-Mizer sawmill is very intuitive,” says Francisco Rescalvo, a civil engineer and researcher who manages the sawmilling activities at the facility. “This allows students to focus on what really matters - decisions about cutting thickness, maintaining traceability, and understanding the anatomy of wood.”

Using the LT40WIDE, the team can process a log in around 15 minutes, producing boards that can be tested for structural grading and used in further research.

The sawmill therefore plays two critical roles: supporting scientific work and helping train the next generation of professionals in timber processing.

Reviving an Industrial Heritage

The sawmill operates inside a remarkable building: the former San Isidro Sugar Factory, originally opened in 1901.

Once a symbol of Granada’s industrial development, the factory closed in the late 20th century and was nearly lost to urban redevelopment. Instead, the historic structure has been restored and transformed into a research and innovation center.

Today, the same building that once processed sugar now supports research aimed at building a new timber economy.

This symbolic transformation reflects a broader shift in the region - from traditional agriculture toward sustainable, bio-based industries.

A New Timber Economy Built from Local Wood

The long-term goal of the project extends beyond academic research. New timber technology companies are emerging from this collaboration, focusing on sustainable construction systems based on locally sourced wood.

By combining research, industry collaboration, and practical sawmilling technology, Granada is laying the foundation for a new regional forestry sector.

With research, training, and tools like the Wood-Mizer LT40WIDE, the region is rediscovering the value of its forests and rebuilding the missing link in its timber supply chain.

What is happening in Granada is more than a research project. It is the gradual return of a local wood industry - one that connects forests, sawmills, and construction in a new, sustainable cycle.

The poplar trees are still there, growing along the riversides of Granada. 

Now, they may also become part of the structures that shape the cities of the future.


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