What species are aspen trees?
Aspen Trees are a part of the willow family. There are six species: Big Tooth Aspen; Quaking, Trembling or American Aspen; Common, Swedish, Trembling or Eurasian Aspen; Grey Poplar; Japanese Aspen; Chinese Aspen; and White Poplar. This tree species can live in the wild for approximately 120 years. Taller trees provide shade for young spruce and ...
What are some other names for aspen trees?
These species are called aspens:
- Populus adenopoda – Chinese aspen (China, south of P. ...
- Populus davidiana – Korean aspen (Eastern Asia)
- Populus grandidentata – Bigtooth aspen (eastern North America, south of P. ...
- Populus sieboldii – Japanese aspen (Japan)
- Populus tremula – Eurasian aspen (northern Europe and Asia)
Are aspen trees the largest growing plant?
Aspen holds the title of largest living organism. The reason is that aspens grow in stands (called clones) and reproduce primarily by sending up sprouts from their roots. This means that virtually all the trees in a clone are connected. In Utah, where it serves as the state tree, one clone was observed to have 47,000 stems.
How many types of aspen trees are there?
Thereof, how many species of aspen trees are there? 5 Different Types of Aspen Trees.. Furthermore, what is special about Aspen trees? Aspen is noted for its ability to regenerate vegetatively by shoots and suckers arising along its long lateral roots. Root sprouting results in many genetically identical trees, in aggregate called a "clone".All the trees in a clone have identical ...
Is there a difference between aspen and quaking aspen?
Bigtooth aspen can reach heights of 60 to 80 feet, while the quaking aspen is typically closer to 50 feet. Even the root systems differ; bigtooth aspen roots are shallow and spreading, while quaking aspen roots can extend downward over 10 feet.
Are all aspen trees the same?
Aspen trees go by several different names: trembling aspen, golden aspen, quiver-leaf aspen, small-toothed aspen, Canadian aspen, quakie, and popple. Aspen is the only transcontinental broadleaf tree growing from Newfoundland to California and Mexico.
What type of aspen trees are in Colorado?
Aspen, known as quaking aspen, are Colorado's only widespread, native, deciduous tree and can be found from 6,500 to 11,500 feet in elevation, particularly on the West Slope.
Are birch and quaking aspen the same?
Quaking Aspens are often confused with birch trees. Although aspen are somewhat similar in appearance to some species of birch, birch trees belong to an entirely different family of trees. Birch are famous for having bark that peels back like paper; aspen bark does not peel.
What is the average lifespan of an aspen tree?
Aspen trees usually do not live more than 150 years, though they may persist more than 200 years. It grows on many soil types, especially sandy and gravelly slopes, and is quick to pioneer disturbed sites where there is bare soil. It grows best where soils are moist and sunshine is plentiful.
What do aspen trees symbolize?
Since times of old, the Aspen was seen as a tree of HEROES. “Aspis” is the Greek name for Aspen. It means “shield.” The Greeks thought it had magical powers and protective qualities. Its leaves were used in the crowns of heroes.
How many varieties of aspen are there?
There are six species of aspen trees, but only two are found in North America. The quaking aspen and the bigtooth aspen. These trees are very closely related to poplar trees, both of which are part of the genus Populus. Aspen trees are only differentiated from poplar trees by their scientific classification.
What state has the most aspen trees?
Colorado. That's because we have more aspen trees in thicker concentrations than anywhere else in the U.S., from 5,000 feet in elevation where desert meets foothills to 12,000 feet above sea level, high in the mountains.
Can you cut down aspen trees in Colorado?
Any conifer species may be harvested, but please avoid cutting COLORADO BLUE SPRUCE trees. Aspen trees may be cut. Harvested trees shall be less than 15 feet in height from ground level and 6 inches or less in stump diameter at ground level. Cutting the top off of large trees is prohibited.
Is Cottonwood the same as aspen?
Members of this group of trees may be called cottonwoods, poplars, or aspens, depending on what species they are. None-the-less, they are all members of the same genus, Populus.
How can you tell the difference between aspen and poplar?
While Poplars and Aspens are in the same genus there are differences. Usually the winter buds of the Poplars are very resinous and have 12 to 60 stamens (the male part of the flowers.) The Aspens are only slightly resinous and have on 6 to 12 stamens.
Is aspen a good firewood?
Some deciduous trees also don't make good firewood. Aspen, basswood and willow trees all have very soft wood of generally poor quality for burning and producing heat. That said, this wood is a little better than that of most coniferous trees because it doesn't spark as much.
How do you tell if a tree is an aspen tree?
How to identify aspen trees. Leaves: Nearly round, wavy edges, a little paler on underside, trembles in any breeze, vary in size from 2.5cm to 6cm across; leaves are more heart-shaped on sucker shoots. Leaf stalks long and flattened. Leaves turn to clear yellow or red in autumn.
Do all aspen trees spread?
As the forest trees get bigger, the aspens die out. Quaking aspen tree facts establish that this succession tree spreads very fast in proper terrain. It grows fast from seeds, but also grows from suckers. Planting a quaking aspen tree can lead quickly to many quaking aspen weed trees invading your yard.
What's the difference between an aspen tree and a birch tree?
Aspen has heart shaped leaves but birch has oval shaped leaves with tapering tips. Both trees leaves are a beautiful shade of green and in the fall they turn brilliant tones of yellow but are rarely red.
What is a group of aspen trees called?
Stand – A group of Aspen trees is called a Stand. In a stand, each tree is a genetic replicate of the other or a “clone.” Large Single Organism – A stand of aspen trees is connected by their roots under the soil. It is the largest single organism, by area, on Earth.
What is the most common aspen tree in North America?
Aspen trees are medium-sized deciduous trees with rough gray-white bark and large round leaves with toothed margins. The quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides) and bigtooth aspen ( Populus grandidentata) are the most common aspen trees in North America. Aspen trees have a unique spreading root system that produces new clone trees.
Where do aspen trees grow?
Aspen trees typically grow among coniferous trees in North America. Aspen trees are cold-hardy trees that thrive in USDA zones 2 through 8. You will often find smaller aspen trees growing alongside large, mature aspens as the tree suckers sprout up from roots.
What is the bark of an aspen tree?
Aspen tree bark is smooth and greenish-white when mature and becomes rough and fissured as the tree grows. Closeup pictures of aspen bark show that it’s relatively thin with horizontal splits and black bumpy patches. The silvery-white look of aspen trees makes them easy to mistake for white birch trees.
What is the difference between a big tooth aspen and a quaking aspen?
The differences in leaf shape of native aspen trees help identify individual species. For example, the quaking aspen tree has leaf margins with fine teeth . However, the bigtooth aspen tree has larger, more spaced teeth making the leaf look jaggy.
What is the most widely distributed tree in the US?
The quaking aspen is the most widely distributed tree in the US. Quaking aspen is a tall, straight tree that has thin, rounded leaves that always rustle in even slight breezes. This action makes the aspen trees quake or tremble. The related European trembling aspen tree ( Populus tremula) also has a quaking behavior.
How tall do aspens grow?
Aspens trees have fast growth rate and can increase in height around 2 ft. (60 cm) per year.
Why do aspens rustle?
The quaking appearance and rustling noise of aspen trees are due to the leaves. The short, flattened stems are attached at right angles to the flat leaf. The growth habit causes even in the slightest of breezes to make aspens quake. This leaf action makes a gentle, calming rustling sound.
What is an aspen tree?
Printer Friendly Version. Image by hookmedia. Aspen trees are a popular addition to landscapes in Canada and the northern parts of the United States. The trees are beautiful with white bark and leaves that turn a striking shade of yellow in the autumn, but they can be finicky in a few different ways. Keep reading to learn more aspen tree ...
How old are aspens?
They allow the trees to survive forest fires and other aboveground problems. One aspen tree colony in Utah is thought to be over 80,000 years old.
How old are aspen trees in Utah?
One aspen tree colony in Utah is thought to be over 80,000 years old. When you’re growing aspen trees in landscapes, however, you probably don’t want a colony that puts up new suckers all the time.
Are Aspens And Quaking Aspens The Same?
There are six species of aspen trees, but only two are found in North America. The quaking aspen and the bigtooth aspen. These trees are very closely related to poplar trees, both of which are part of the genus Populus.
9 Differences Between Aspen And Quaking Aspen
The differences between trees may not be as obvious as the differences in animals. But if you look closely, you can see subtle differences that will clue you into what type of aspen tree you are looking at!
Wrapping Things Up!
That’s all we have for now on aspen trees! To recap, there are two types of aspen trees in North America: Quaking aspens and bigtooth aspens.
What are some common names for aspen trees?
The scientific names of the Aspens found in the UK and US are different, but they are often both known by the same common names such as, plain old Aspen, Quaking Aspen, Trembling Aspen, Common Aspen.
Where can I find Aspen trees?
When I hear the name Aspen I usually think of the beautiful winter colours that Aspen tree creates in the United States, however, Aspens with their fluttery leaves can be found in both the UK and the US.
What are the fruits or seeds?
Aspens are dioecious, meaning that they have both male and female flowers. The flowers grow as catkins in March and April.
Why do aspen trees have white bark?
The bark on the narrow trunks is a smooth greenish white. Interestingly the bark contains chlorophyll, so even though the aspen loses it leaves in autumn, it can still continue to grow. This is probably why it has evolved to prefer the unshaded spots to allow an increased amount of light in winter.
What color are the leaves of aspen?
As a result, in the autumn (fall) the leaves will turn a beautiful shade of yellow. This is usually the only time it Is possible to recognise the different clones of aspen within a forest. Each colony will turn yellow as one in addition to having its own unique shade of yellow.
Why do aspens turn yellow?
Aspens are deciduous, loosing their leaves in winter. As a result, in the autumn (fall) the leaves will turn a beautiful shade of yellow. This is usually the only time it Is possible ...
How to tell if an aspen tree is a single tree?
The easiest way to determine if you are looking at an aspen is that it is unlikely to be a single tree, they will be in a stand (clone). Depending on the time of year it will be firstly, from the shape of their leave, secondly, the autumn colours or thirdly, the tube like white trunks of the clone.
What is the use of aspen trees?
The most common present day use of aspen is creating a pulp for paper and boxes. Also, due to its lightweight properties, it is used for making crates and furniture.
How tall are birch and aspen trees?
The aspen and birch are similar in size, typically growing to be about 80 feet tall and about 8 inches – 2 feet 7 inches in diameter. As mentioned before both trees have a distinct smooth white bark, however it is not solid white. The aspen bark has a distinct green tint and is marked with black horizontal scars and prominent black knots. The birch is marked with horizontal scars as well, but does not have the eye like scars.
How long do aspens live?
The life span of an individual aspen is typically about 100-120 years in the west but in eastern regions they will typically die off within 60 years or less, due to decay. Birch, on the other hand, only live about 80 years. Both trees create cylindrical flower clusters called catkins, which are pollinated by the wind. The main difference between the flowers of each tree is the birch is monoecious, which means it is able to produce both male and female flowers. This allows the tree to become easily pollinated to create the wing nut shaped seeds. Even though most new birch trees grow from seed, it does have the ability to regenerate sprouts if it has been cut down or burned.
Why do aspen trees quake?
The aspen is commonly called “quaking aspen” because its leaves quake, or tremble, with just the slightest breeze. Due to this trembling it can be quite loud, creating a crackling sound. The local Native Americans knew they were approaching aspen trees long before they could see them because of this distinct sound.
What are the beliefs of the Aspen and the Birch?
Many cultures around the world have similar beliefs regarding both the aspen and the birch. Many cultures believed that both trees were capable of driving away evil. Due to this they were often planted near homes.
What are the two types of trees that are abundant in the Black Hills?
Two types of trees that are abundant in these beautiful hills are aspen and birch. These two trees are commonly mistaken for each other due to their similar appearance.
What tree has black knots?
The aspen bark has a distinct green tint and is marked with black horizontal scars and prominent black knots. The birch is marked with horizontal scars as well, but does not have the eye like scars.
