Populus tremuloides - Aspen Poplar

Aspen Poplar, also known as Quaking Aspen, is a fast-growing, clonal tree that grows to 50–80 feet tall and adds movement, texture, and seasonal beauty to both urban and rural landscapes. Its distinctive round, fluttering green leaves turn brilliant shades of gold in the fall, creating stunning autumn displays. In spring, it produces pollen-rich catkins that support early-season insects, while its seeds and twigs provide food for songbirds and small mammals. Its dense groves offer critical nesting sites and shelter for wildlife. The smooth, white to pale yellow bark adds winter interest, making it a striking year-round feature in the landscape.

Thriving in a wide range of soils, Aspen Poplar is a hardy native that spreads through underground roots, forming dense groves that enhance biodiversity and provide long-term habitat. Ideal for larger spaces, it plays a key role in erosion control, carbon sequestration, and soil enrichment, making it an essential species in forest regeneration and self-sustaining landscapes. While young saplings are frequently browsed, mature trees are less appealing due to their bitter-tasting bark, offering moderate resistance to deer over time.