American Aspen, Quaking Aspen, Golden Aspen, Trembling Aspen, Mountain Aspen, Aspen, Trembling Poplar, Alamo Blanco
Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) is a fast-growing deciduous tree renowned for its shimmering leaves, stunning fall color, and remarkable ecological and cultural significance. Known for its delicate, trembling foliage, this tree thrives in cool climates and holds the title of the most widely distributed tree species in North America.
Aspens belong to the willow family (Salicaceae), which includes several popular and iconic trees such as Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica), known for its graceful, cascading branches; Black Willow (Salix nigra), valued for erosion control along waterways; and Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides), famous for its towering height and fast growth.
Quaking Aspen is native to North America, spanning from Alaska and Canada down through the northern United States and into Mexico. Its extensive range covers forests, mountains, prairies, and riverbanks, adapting to elevations from sea level to high-altitude timberlines.
This fast-growing deciduous tree typically develops a softly pyramidal shape, with a slender, upright trunk topped by a narrow, rounded crown. It often forms dense stands by spreading both from seed and through root suckers, creating genetically identical clonal colonies.
Quaking Aspen grows 20-50 feet tall (6-15 meters) with a spread of 10-30 feet (3-9 meters). It can average 1.5 to 2 feet per year in typical garden or landscape settings. Discover 35 Fast Growing Trees for Small Yards and Large Gardens
Individual Quaking Aspen trees typically live 50 to 60 years in the eastern United States and 100 to 150 years in the western U.S. However, clonal colonies, formed by root suckers, can survive for thousands of years, with some, like Pando in Utah, estimated to be over 80,000 years old.
In spring, before leaves emerge, male and female catkins appear on separate trees. Male catkins are silver-gray, while female catkins mature into clusters of small capsules filled with tiny seeds attached to cotton-like fibers, dispersed by wind.
The leaves are rounded to triangular, measuring about 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7 cm) long, with finely serrated edges. Each leaf is attached by a distinctive flattened petiole, allowing it to flutter and “quake” even in the slightest breeze. In summer, the lustrous dark green foliage adds vibrant color, while in fall, the leaves transform into brilliant golden-yellow, creating spectacular autumn displays.
Young trees display smooth, pale greenish-white bark, which gradually darkens and develops furrows adorned with distinctive, diamond-shaped pores known as lenticels. Remarkably, the bark can also carry out photosynthesis, enabling the tree to continue producing energy even during winter when leaves are absent.
Hardy in USDA zones 2-7, Quaking Aspen thrives in cool climates but struggles in areas with hot, humid summers.
Quaking Aspen supports a wide range of wildlife. Deer, elk, and moose browse the foliage and twigs. Beavers use its wood for dams, and grouse feed on its buds. Its flowers attract pollinators, while its canopy shelters songbirds.
Young aspen are favored by deer and rabbits, especially in winter when other food sources are scarce.
Quaking Aspen is non-toxic to humans and most animals. In fact, its leaves and bark are an important forage source for many herbivores.
While not traditionally classified as invasive, Quaking Aspen can spread aggressively via seeds and root suckers, forming large colonies that dominate local landscapes, especially after disturbances like fire or logging.
For optimal growth, keep the soil consistently moist. Provide deep watering every two to four weeks during the growing season. In hot summer weather, water at least every other week to prevent stress. During winter, water at least once a month if natural snowfall does not already provide sufficient moisture.
Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to encourage healthy growth, especially in nutrient-poor soils.
The ideal time to prune a quaking aspen is in winter, when the tree is dormant and better able to handle pruning cuts. After heavy winter snowfall, promptly remove any broken or damaged limbs by cutting back to the branch collar. Dead or diseased branches should be removed as soon as they are noticed, regardless of the season.
The ideal time to transplant root suckers is in early spring, before new growth begins, or in early fall, after the leaves have dropped.
Quaking Aspen naturally spreads through root suckers — new shoots that sprout from the tree’s extensive root system. This clonal propagation is the most effective and reliable way to propagate the species, ensuring the new trees are genetically identical to the parent.
Although Quaking Aspens produce seeds after flowering, propagating from seed is difficult because the seeds are short-lived and require very specific conditions to germinate successfully.
Quaking Aspen is vulnerable to several insect pests that can weaken the tree if infestations become severe. Regular monitoring can help detect early signs of trouble.
Quaking Aspen is susceptible to several fungal diseases, especially when stressed by poor growing conditions.
Quaking Aspen is a beautiful, fast-growing tree that adds visual interest with its shimmering leaves and striking white bark. It provides habitat for wildlife and offers spectacular fall color. However, it’s best suited to large, open spaces due to its spreading root system.
Aspen trees have shallow, invasive roots that can spread aggressively and damage sidewalks, driveways, and foundations. They are also relatively short-lived, susceptible to numerous pests and diseases, and can become weak or damaged in strong winds.
Yes, Quaking Aspen roots are highly invasive. They spread quickly through suckering, sending up new shoots from the root system, which can invade lawns, gardens, and nearby hardscapes.
To control spreading, install root barriers around the tree, regularly remove unwanted suckers, and avoid damaging the roots. Planting aspens in containers or isolated areas can also limit root spread.
Individual Quaking Aspen trees typically live 50 to 60 years in the eastern U.S. and 100 to 150 years in the west. However, clonal colonies connected by a single root system can survive for thousands of years.
Hardiness |
2 - 7 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Salicaceae |
Genus | Populus |
Common names | Poplar, Quaking Aspen, Aspen |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 20' - 50' (6.1m - 15.2m) |
Spread | 10' - 30' (3m - 9.1m) |
Maintenance | High |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Rocky Mountains, Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, California, Nebraska, Minnesota, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Michigan, Illinois, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, West Virginia, Arkansas, Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow |
Hardiness |
2 - 7 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Salicaceae |
Genus | Populus |
Common names | Poplar, Quaking Aspen, Aspen |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 20' - 50' (6.1m - 15.2m) |
Spread | 10' - 30' (3m - 9.1m) |
Maintenance | High |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Rocky Mountains, Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, California, Nebraska, Minnesota, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Michigan, Illinois, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, West Virginia, Arkansas, Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow |
How many Populus tremuloides (Quaking Aspen) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Populus tremuloides (Quaking Aspen) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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