Quaking Aspen Tree

About the Quaking Aspen Tree

Known for its small, shimmering leaves; beautiful white bark; and bright golden-yellow fall color, the Quaking Aspen tree, also called Trembling Aspen or American Aspen, is a beautiful deciduous tree. It is the state tree of Utah.

Native to North America, this tree grows naturally over a larger geographical area than any other tree species on the continent. It is the tree responsible for the stunning golden color found on the Rocky Mountains every autumn.

With a height between twenty-five to sixty feet tall and small, round leaves, Quaking Aspen trees are often used in parks for their graceful beauty and gorgeous color. They are charming decorative trees to add to a home lawn or forest. They grow well in areas with cooler summers.

The Quaking Aspen is sometimes confused with the birch tree, since both trees have white bark with graceful trunks. However, the birch tree has bark that peels, while aspens do not; and both trees belong to different families.

Uses of the Tree

The Quaking Aspen is primarily grown as a stunning ornamental tree. It also provides a habitat for many birds and is a food source for many foraging animals. Commercially, the aspen can be used for fencing, firewood, and wood pulp.

Growing the Quaking Aspen

In the wild, these Aspens grow in clusters called a stand. One stand is made of many trees that are genetically the same, called clones. Each clone springs from a shared root system, as one of the ways the tree reproduces is through lateral root sprouting. In fact, a stand of Quaking Aspen trees taken as a whole is the largest living organism on earth!

The homeowner should think about how much space to give the Quaking Aspen, because of root sprouting. One tree could lead to shoots of new trees that spring from the roots. If these newer trees are not desired, the shoots can be trimmed when they first surface.

These trees are cold-hardy and prefer areas with cooler summers. They need full sun and well-drained soil. They are fast growing, capable of growing up to two feet per year.

Buy Quaking Aspen trees for your lawn, field, or forest and enjoy their golden fall colors, shimmering leaves, and striking white bark.