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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees
Populus tremuloides
quaking aspen
Salicaceae
North America (most widely distributed native tree on the continent)
At a Glance
TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height20-50 feet (6-15 m)
Width15-30 feet (4.6-9 m)
Maturity15 years
Growing Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones
1 - 7Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy
Key Features
Attracts Butterflies
Native to North America
Maintenancehigh
Overview
Populus tremuloides is a slender deciduous tree reaching 20-50 feet (6-15 m) tall in cultivation, occasionally to 80 feet (24 m) in native stands, with a spread of 15-30 feet (4.6-9 m). Crown is narrowly conical to rounded, open and airy. Bark is smooth, greenish-white to cream on young trees and young trunk sections, becoming dark gray and furrowed at the base of older trunks. The smooth upper bark is marked with dark horizontal lenticels and black knot scars. Leaves are alternate, simple, nearly circular to broadly ovate, 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) wide, with finely serrate margins and a short, sharp tip. Petioles are strongly flattened laterally, causing leaves to tremble and flutter in the slightest breeze — the defining characteristic of the species. Foliage is medium green above, paler beneath, turning bright golden-yellow in fall, typically in September to October. Dioecious; pendulous catkins appear in March to April before leaves. Female trees produce cottony seeds that disperse by wind in late spring. Growth rate is fast at 24-36 inches (61-91 cm) per year. Trees reproduce aggressively by root suckering, forming clonal colonies that can cover acres; a single clonal colony in Utah (Pando) covers 106 acres (43 hectares) and is estimated at 80,000 years old. Individual stems are short-lived at 40-80 years, but the root system persists indefinitely. Susceptible to numerous pests and diseases in lowland cultivation, including cytospora canker, leaf spot, poplar borer, and tent caterpillars. Performs poorly in hot, humid lowland climates and in areas with summer heat exceeding 85°F (29°C) consistently.
Native Range
Native across North America, the most widely distributed native tree on the continent, ranging from Labrador to Alaska, south to Virginia in the east and to central Mexico in the west. Occurs at elevations from near sea level in northern latitudes to 10,000 feet (3,000 m) in the southern Rocky Mountains. In the Pacific Northwest, native populations occur primarily in montane and subalpine zones, typically above 2,000 feet (600 m) elevation.Suggested Uses
Planted as a specimen or grove tree in cool-climate landscapes, particularly in montane and foothill areas above 2,000 feet (600 m) in the Pacific Northwest. Best used in naturalized settings where root suckering can form groves. Spacing of 15-20 feet (4.6-6 m) for grove plantings. Not recommended for lowland urban landscapes in the Pacific Northwest due to heat stress, disease susceptibility, and aggressive suckering. Used in restoration plantings for post-disturbance sites, riparian areas, and wildlife habitat.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height20' - 50'
Width/Spread15' - 30'
Reaches mature size in approximately 15 years
Colors
Flower Colors
gray
Foliage Colors
green
Fall Foliage Colors
yellow
gold
Bloom Information
Bloom Period
~1 weeksJ
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Spring
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Grayish (catkins, inconspicuous)Foliage Description
Medium green above, paler beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Full Sun
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Soil Requirements
pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandsilt
Drainage
well drained
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Medium
Frost Tolerance
hardy
Time to Maturity
5-10 years
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Water regularly during the first growing season. Established trees require consistent moisture; drought stress increases susceptibility to canker diseases and insect attack. Plant in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light; intolerant of shade. Performs best in cool climates with summer temperatures regularly below 85°F (29°C); struggles in hot, humid lowland settings. In the Pacific Northwest lowlands, trees are often short-lived and disease-prone compared to montane populations. Prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soils. Root suckering is aggressive and continuous; plan for regular sucker removal in landscape settings, or allow naturalization where clonal spread is acceptable. Cytospora canker, leaf spot, poplar borer, and tent caterpillars are common problems, particularly in stressed trees.Pruning
Prune in late winter (January through February) while dormant. Remove dead, damaged, and canker-infected branches, cutting well below infected tissue. The natural growth form requires minimal corrective pruning. Remove root suckers at or below ground level throughout the growing season to control spread. Avoid mechanical damage to bark, which creates entry points for canker pathogens.Pruning Schedule
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winter