American aspen

American aspen Care

Populus tremuloides

What is the plant

Populus tremuloides is a deciduous tree native to cooler areas of North America, one of several species referred to by the common name aspen.

Populus tremuloides, commonly called quaking aspen, is perhaps most noted for its beautiful white bark, its deep green foliage that quakes in the slightest breeze and its golden yellow fall foliage color. It has the widest geographical distribution of any North American tree, being indigenous to Alaska and most of Canada, the Pacific Northwest, New England, the Great Lakes and south in the Rockies to New Mexico and Arizona. It is a medium sized deciduous tree that typically grows 20-50’ tall with a narrow, rounded crown. Ovate-triangular to nearly round, dark glossy green leaves (to 3” long) are finely toothed. Leaves flutter in even the smallest amount of wind due to flattened leaf stalks. Leaves turn a beautiful golden yellow in fall. Aspens are dioecious, with male and female flowers appearing in separate catkins on separate clones in spring (April in St. Louis) before the foliage. Catkins are gray-green and not showy.

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Lighting

Full Sun

Hardiness zone

max 6b

Difficulty

Hard

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Quaking aspens appreciate a regular watering schedule, particularly during the first few growing seasons. Promote a healthier root system by watering your tree deeply only when the surrounding soil feels dry to the touch. Use your garden hose to prevent getting the foliage wet, which increases the risk of fungal diseases. Water your tree until the top 18 to 20 inches of soil becomes moistened
Fertilizer
Fertilize your aspen tree once a year. Apply a slow-release fertilizer early in the spring to advance growth and tree health.
Sunlight
Choose a site in full sun.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
In the wild, this tree grows in a large variety of soils ranging from rocky soils at high mountain elevations to clay or sandy loams at lower elevations. But it is best grown in rich, humusy, consistently moist, well-drained soils. Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch beneath the tree's canopy to help maintain consistent soil moisture as well as prevent competing weeds from sprouting up.
Temperature
This tree is very hardy and can be found in the areas with the lowest winter temperatures down to −51.1°C (−60°F).
Popularity
707 people already have this plant 116 people have added this plant to their wishlists