Quaking Aspen
Populus tremuloides · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Salicaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Forest Tree, Ornamental
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (Populus tremuloides)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 1–7; extremely cold-tolerant and adapted to high altitudes.
About This Tree
A slender, medium-sized tree known for its smooth, pale bark and leaves that flutter or 'quake' in the slightest breeze. It typically grows in clonal colonies via a shared root system.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, nearly circular to ovate leaves with finely serrated margins. Green above, paler below; petioles are flattened, causing the characteristic quaking. Turns golden-yellow in fall.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth, white to greenish-grey bark when young, featuring characteristic dark horizontal scars (lenticels) and prominent 'eye' shaped marks where branches have self-pruned. Becomes furrowed at the base with age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
North America; widespread from Alaska through Canada to the central United States and Mexico.
Growing Season
Leaves emerge in spring (light green), catkins appear before leaves. Enters dormancy following a brilliant yellow fall color display in autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun (intolerant of shade); moderate water needs; prefers moist, well-drained soils but can adapt to various sites.
Mature Size
20–50 feet tall, 10–30 feet spread; fast growth rate; short-lived individually (50-150 years) but clonal colony can live for thousands.
Special Characteristics
Pioneering species in post-fire landscapes; contains salicin in bark; produces spectacular autumn foliage; provides significant timber for pulp and specialty wood products.
Wildlife & Ecology
Major food source for beaver, elk, and deer. Catkins provide food for birds like ruffed grouse. Serves as a host for numerous lepidoptera species and provide nesting sites for cavity-nesting birds.