Populus tremuloides

Common Names

Quaking Aspen, Trembling Aspen, American Aspen, Golden Aspen, Mountain Aspen, Poplar, White Poplar, Aspen, Trembling Poplar, Popple, Quakies

Summary

Quaking Aspen is a North American native deciduous tree known for fluttering leaves caused by flattened petioles, smooth pale bark with dark scars, and brilliant golden fall color, it forms large clonal groves via spreading roots and reproduces vegetatively by root suckers, typically reaching about 20–50 ft tall with a 20–30 ft crown and has the broadest distribution of any North American tree, for cultivation it prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soils, tolerates a wide range of soil types and pH, and is hardy in USDA zones 1–6, it can spread aggressively through root suckers, so spacing of about 15–20 ft and barrier management may be needed to control spread; maintenance includes removing suckers and pruning as needed, it provides habitat for wildlife and can be used as a specimen or in groves, its wood is used for pulp, panel products, and other lumber, and cultivars such as Prairie Gold offer improved drought tolerance; watch for pests such as borers, aphids, and leaf miners, and diseases like leaf spot, rust, and Cytospora canker, maintaining health through proper light, irrigation, and drainage.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

480-600 inches

Spread

20-30 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 1-6

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun. Not shade tolerant.

Soil Type

Consistently moist, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soils, moist or occasionally wet conditions preferred

Soil pH

5.5-7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Spring (April–June)

Foliage Color

Green foliage, turning golden-yellow in autumn.

Fall Foliage Color

Golden yellow to yellow, occasionally red after frosts

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

2-3 feet per year, fast-growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Fall.

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Layering, Root suckers

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds