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Vick, Albert F. W.

Populus tremuloides Michx.

Quaking aspen

Salicaceae (Willow Family)

USDA Symbol: POTR5

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A 35-50 ft. deciduous tree, quaking aspen is pyramidal when young, usually developing a long trunk and narrow, rounded crown at maturity. Its small, nearly round, shiny leaves have a flattened petiole which allows them to quiver in the slightest breeze. Smooth, whitish-green bark becomes furrowed at the trunk’s base with age. Silvery catkins appear before leaves. Fall color is bright yellow.

The names refer to the leaves, which in the slightest breeze tremble on their flattened leafstalks. The soft smooth bark is sometimes marked by bear claws. A pioneer tree after fires and logging and on abandoned fields, it is short-lived and replaced by conifers. Sometimes planted as an ornamental. Principal uses of the wood include pulpwood, boxes, furniture parts, matches, excelsior, and particle-board. The twigs and foliage are browsed by deer, elk, and moose, also by sheep and goats. Beavers, rabbits, and other mammals eat the bark, foliage, and buds, and grouse and quail feed on the winter buds.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Size Class: 36-72 ft.
Breeding System: Monoecious
Fruit Type: Capsule
Leaf Color: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit Color: Brown

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AK , AZ , AR , CA , CO , CT , ID , IL , IN , IA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MO , MT , NE , NV , NH , NJ , NM , NY , NC , ND , OH , OR , PA , RI , SD , TX , UT , VT , VA , WA , WV , WI , WY
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NT , NS , NU , ON , PE , QC , SK , YT
Native Distribution: Lab. to AK, s. to n. VA, n. MO, n. NE & in mts. to CA & n. Mex.
Native Habitat: Stream banks; moist, low areas; moist, upland woods; disturbed areas
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet , Moist , Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Igneous, Limestone-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Caliche type, Shallow, moist, rocky , sandy to fine clay soils.
Conditions Comments: Quaking aspen reproduces rapidly from seed and root suckers. It is short-lived and plagued by disease and insect problems, but is practically indifferent to soil conditions. In any soil, weeding around the tree can boost its growth surprisingly. Aspen can be grown in a clump by periodically removing the older, damaged stems, allowing new sprouts to fill in. Western material is often referred to as var. aurea.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Attractive, Fall conspicuous
Use Wildlife: Aspens are host to a wide array of birds, mammals, and butterflies. Seeds-granivorous birds, Browse
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Viceroy

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Populus tremuloides is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Great ash sphinx
(Sphinx chersis)

Food Source
Learn more at BAMONA 		Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
(Papilio glaucus)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Viceroy
(Limenitis archippus)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Division
Description: Easy to propagate from suckers or cuttings, though when available, fresh seeds germinate readily in high percentages. Fresh seed is viable only a few days. Seeds should not be covered and seedbed should be kept saturated the first month.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: No treatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants

Populus tremuloides (Quaking aspen) is a PlantWise native alternative for:

   Alnus glutinosa (European alder)
   Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust)

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

A Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
A Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G.O.
* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Populus tremuloides in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Populus tremuloides in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Populus tremuloides

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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