
Based on your location and the map from the USDA
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture, also known as the Agriculture Department, is the U.S. federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, and food. It aims to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers, promote agricult…
Where do aspen trees grow?
Most commonly found in the USA and Canada, aspen trees fall in the likes of every gardener. Other Names: Quaking Aspen, American Aspen, Mountain Aspen, Golden Aspen, Trembling Aspen, Chinese Aspen, Korean Aspen, Bigtooth Aspen, Japanese Aspen, Common Aspen, Quaking Aspen, and Eurasian Aspen Where Do Aspen Trees Grow?
Do quaking aspen trees spread?
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.
Do aspens grow in Zone 2B?
The majority of aspen trees in this area are also the quaking variety, but big-toothed aspen (Populus grandidentata, USDA hardiness zones 2b to 6a) are also widespread. This cousin to the quaking aspens can grow on lower elevations of 500 to 2,000 feet, and prefers plenty of sun and sandy soils.
Do aspen trees make good landscaping?
Some gardeners love them, some do not. Aspen trees grow very quickly and are very hardy. That means that you can “furnish” a new backyard in just a few seasons if you plant aspens. Aspens are small and won’t overwhelm your yard, and sometimes they provide nice autumn color.

Can you grow an aspen tree in Missouri?
Populus spp. and hybrids Poplars Cottonwood Lombardy poplar Aspen Poplars are susceptible to many diseases and insect pests, especially those poplars that are native to cooler climates, and do not grow well in the heat and humidity of a St Louis summer.
Can aspen trees grow in the Midwest?
The best growth occurs on soils which are rich and porous, often where lime or limestone is present. In Iowa, quaking aspen is very common in eastern Iowa and found locally in southern and western Iowa along the major river valleys.
What zones do aspens grow in?
Aspen is native to the west and east coasts of the United States, according to the University of Connecticut, and is hardy to USDA hardiness zones 1 to 7, which includes most parts of central eastern California. Plant it wherever you have full sun and moist, well-drained soil, preferably near water.
Can aspens grow anywhere?
It occurs across Canada, through the United States, to Mexico, in a variety of habitats. In the western United States, aspen is generally found at 5,000 to 12,000 feet elevation. Aspen occurs in extensive pure stands in some areas, while in others, it is a minor component of the forest landscape.
Are aspen and birch trees the same?
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.
Can you plant a single aspen tree?
Quaking aspen trees have showy autumn foliage and attractive bark for winter landscapes. A single tree can spawn an entire grove with its weedy suckers, making it a potential maintenance nightmare if it's planted in a small yard or too close to neighboring properties.
Should I plant aspen trees in my yard?
It is too hot, too dry, and the soil pH is too high. These conditions will only shorten their life even more, while opening them up to the susceptibility of diseases and insects. I would not recommend planting an aspen in your yard.
How long does it take to grow an aspen tree?
This tree grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24" per year.
Are aspen trees easy to grow?
Aspen trees grow very quickly and are very hardy. That means that you can “furnish” a new backyard in just a few seasons if you plant aspens. Aspens are small and won't overwhelm your yard, and sometimes they provide nice autumn color.
What is the difference between an aspen and a quaking aspen?
As the name suggests, bigtooth aspen has large, coarse irregular (dentate) shaped teeth along the margin of its heart-shaped (deltoid) leaves. Quaking aspen has smaller heart-shaped to circular (orbicular) leaves with fine (serrate) teeth on the edges.
What kills aspen trees?
The right way to remove aspen is to kill the tree and the root system with an herbicide and cut it down after it is dead. To kill aspens apply the herbicide Roundup to the base of the trunk. Drill a series of holes into the trunk at a 45 degree angle and fill the holes with concentrated herbicide.
Where do aspen trees grow best?
Quaking aspens are the most widely distributed tree species in North America. They grow in Alaska and Canada, all the way south to Mexico. They withstand such a wide range of climatic conditions by growing at lower altitudes in the north and higher altitudes in the south.
Where do aspen trees grow best?
Quaking aspens are the most widely distributed tree species in North America. They grow in Alaska and Canada, all the way south to Mexico. They withstand such a wide range of climatic conditions by growing at lower altitudes in the north and higher altitudes in the south.
What is the fastest growing tree in the Midwest?
European Black Alder Grows very rapidly in the first 10 years, as much as a meter in a year. This is an excellent selection for wet soil. Hybrid Maples There are more and more seedless maple hybrids that grow fairly quickly, up to 3 feet per year. A couple of the best are Freeman Maple and 'Autumn Blaze'.
Can aspen trees grow in Zone 8?
While both types of trees grow in a variety of conditions, they only thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 2 to 7.
Is Quaking Aspen native to Michigan?
Aspen is an early successional species that is within many different forest types. Aspen forests are most often found in northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula and are dominated by trembling (quaking) aspen and big-toothed aspen, both of which are shade-intolerant, fast growing, and short-lived.
Why are aspen trees so hard to grow?
However, it adds that aspen are generally difficult to grow in the urban landscape because the soils they like are rare and because of their susceptibility to disease and insects.
Where is the most aspen forest?
According to the U.S. Forest Service, aspen forest is most common in Colorado and Utah at elevations between 5,000 and 12,000 feet. Advertisement.
Will aspen trees die in 2090?
In recent years, aspen stands in several Rocky Mountain states and Canadian provinces have suffered a sudden die-off. According to a Reuters story from Sept. 4, 2009, scientists at the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Moscow, Idaho, predict the near total disappearance of aspen in the Rocky Mountain region by 2090, ...
What is the most common tree in Missouri?
Common Tree Families in Missouri: Flowering Dogwood: This tree, the state tree of Missouri, is most commonly distributed in the southern half of Missouri. It has a simple opposite leaf pattern and often is planted as an ornamental for its bright foliage and flowers.
Where can I find Emerald Ash borer in Missouri?
Currently, the emerald ash borer, an invasive insect species that kills ash trees, is extending its range further south into Missouri.
How long does a boxelder tree live?
It has a lobed opposite leaf pattern and is known to live between 150 and 200 years. Boxelder: A very common tree in Missouri (especially in wet areas), it is generally considered to be a trash tree.
How tall does a white pine tree grow?
Eastern White Pine: This tree is one of the main species of conifers in Missouri. This species can live up to 250 years, and grow 100 feet tall. It has clustered needles and 4-8” resin-coated pinecones. This was the most important species of trees in North America during the 19th Century, because of its use as building material in many Northeastern cities.
Why is the White Oak tree so valuable?
The tree is also very valuable to wildlife because of its abundant beechnuts, which are eaten by most forest animals. It has a simple alternate leaf pattern and is common in southeastern Missouri. White Oak: This tree is very valuable for its wood, which is used for flooring, furniture, and whiskey barrels.
How tall does an American Elm tree get?
It grows up to 100 feet tall and branches out into a large canopy. It has a simple alternate tree pattern and grows throughout Missouri.
Why is the Blue Ash tree called the Blue Ash?
Its called the Blue Ash because its sap becomes blue when oxidized, and thus can be used as a blue dye.
Where does quaking aspen grow?
Quaking Aspen is native to Minnesota and will grow vigorously under the right conditions. It is native to most of the United States with the exception of Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, extending down to Florida.
When do quaking aspens ripen?
The quaking aspens seed ripens in late spring in May or June but before the full expansion of its leaves. The catkin consists of a cotton-like mass that contains tiny round light brown seeds that will usually germinate in the span of hours after being dropped from the tree.
What is the most common tree in Minnesota?
Quaking Aspen is the most abundant and widespread tree in Minnesota as well as the most common Populus species in North America. The huge stands across northern Minnesota are the result of clear-cutting our expansive pine forests a century ago.
What is a quaking aspen tree used for?
This tree can be used as a shade tree but is most often used as a screen or wind block. This is due to its tendency to send up clonal root sprouts. Large groves of quaking aspen are often found in Minnesota. This tree will be used by songbirds, small mammals and for browse by game mammals.
How tall is a quaking aspen?
Height: 40 to 80 ft. Width: 10 to 30 ft. Common characteristics: The quaking aspen is a small to a medium-size tree that may reach heights of 40' to 80' with a diameter of 12" to 20". It has an open and rounded crown. Its bark is thin with a white to gray-green color that feels almost smooth with black areas around the base of limbs.
When do aspens quake?
The quaking aspens seed ripens in late spring in May or June but before the full expansion of its leaves.
Do trees like summer?
Numerous disease and pest problems if not sited correctly, Tree prefers cool summer climates. In the urban setting, these trees have proved to have many disease and insect problems. With hypoxylon canker being a major contributor to mortality rates in the Twin Cities.
Where Do Aspen Trees Grow?
The species of these quacky trees are also in several regions of North America, Africa, Asia, and Europe with major cultivation in the USA and Canada.
What is the most common aspen in North America?
Eurasian Aspen: Known as trembling aspen, the characteristics of the European Aspen is similar to that of common aspens. It is also a home for the woodpecker. Quaking Aspen: The most common aspen can be found in major regions of North America. Its leaves turn into a stunning shade of yellow in fall.
What Does an Aspen Tree Look like?
Generally grown in colonies, Aspen trees feature thin white-colored bark with tiny, tender, and round leaves.
What are the different types of aspen trees?
There are six different species of Aspen Trees, depending upon the region they’re planted and grown: 1 Chinese Aspen: Native to China, Chinese Aspen Tree boasts a height of 30 meters. Its wood is used for construction and furniture making. 2 Korean Aspen: Korean Aspen Tree reaches a height of 25 meters and has triangular-shaped leaves. It is famous for its smooth red or brown bark. 3 Bigtooth Aspen: Found in central and eastern regions of North America, Bigtooth Aspen features leaves with larger teeth. Its thin and olive-green colored bark differentiates them from the other aspen trees. 4 Japanese Aspen: Tall deciduous trees commonly occurring in the hilly mountainous landscapes of Japan. Its woolly textured wood is abrasion-resistant. 5 Eurasian Aspen: Known as trembling aspen, the characteristics of the European Aspen is similar to that of common aspens. It is also a home for the woodpecker. 6 Quaking Aspen: The most common aspen can be found in major regions of North America. Its leaves turn into a stunning shade of yellow in fall.
How to identify an aspen tree?
You can identify Aspen trees easily by their white-colored beautiful bark and tender leaves, rounded in the middle with pointed apex.
How tall is the Korean Aspen tree?
Korean Aspen: Korean Aspen Tree reaches a height of 25 meters and has triangular-shaped leaves. It is famous for its smooth red or brown bark.
Where do aspen trees grow?
The versatile aspen tree has the unusual distinction of growing from coast to coast across North American, spreading as far north as Alaska and Canada and as far south as West Virginia. Learn about this plant's saw-toothed leaves, its unusual bark, and its significance for wildlife.
Where do quaking aspens grow?
Quaking aspens grow across Canada and into Alaska, with the tree absent only from the extreme northern portions of both. In the lower 48 states, quaking aspen grows throughout the Rocky Mountain states, the Great Lakes region and New England. Bigtooth aspen has a much smaller distribution, growing from Minnesota eastward to New England and southern parts of Canada. This variety of aspen tree grows as far south as parts of West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
What family is a quaking aspen?
The quaking aspen and the bigtooth aspen are members of the willow family of trees. They belong to the genus Populus, which includes aspens, poplars and cottonwoods. Aspen trees are sometimes referred to as aspen poplars. Both species of aspen trees enjoy a wide geographical range, especially the quaking aspen, ...
How big are aspen leaves?
Quaking aspen leaves are nearly round and as wide as 3 inches. Those of bigtooth aspen are longer at about 3 1/2 inches but not quite as wide, with most between 2 and 2 1/2 inches across. Both kinds have edges with rounded teeth on them, with bigtooth aspen’s teeth farther apart than those on the quaking aspen. The leaves turn yellowish gold in the fall, creating striking scenery where large stands of the trees grow.
What is the branching pattern of an aspen tree?
Aspen Poplar Branching Pattern. The quaking aspen tree is a pioneer species that can quickly colonize areas recently cleared areas. The trees develop root suckers which emerge from the soil around the base of the trunk. These suckers can grow into new trees, forming a stand of closely growing aspens.
How long do aspen trees live?
The aspen normally will not live long, only about 25 years, when planted for landscaping purposes.
Where does Bigtooth Aspen grow?
Bigtooth aspen has a much smaller distribution, growing from Minnesota eastward to New England and southern parts of Canada. This variety of aspen tree grows as far south as parts of West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The Unusual Aspen Leaf.
What is the role of aspens in nature?
On the other hand, consider that the role of aspens in nature is as a “succession” tree. Its job in the wild is to spread quickly in eroded or burned out areas, providing cover for seedlings of forest trees like pine, fir and spruce. As the forest trees get bigger, the aspens die out.
How Big Do Quaking Aspens Get?
If you are planting a quaking aspen tree, you may ask “how big do quaking aspens get?” They are generally small or medium trees, but can grow to 70 feet (21 m.) tall in the wild.
What is a quaking aspen?
Image by Bret-Barton. Quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides) are lovely in the wild, and enjoy the most extensive native range of any tree on the continent. Their leaves have flattened petioles, so they tremble in every light breeze.
Can you plant quaking aspen trees?
Quaking Aspen Tree Facts. Before planting a quaking aspen tree in your garden , you’ll need to understand the pros and cons of cultivated aspen trees. Some gardeners love them, some do not. Aspen trees grow very quickly and are very hardy. That means that you can “furnish” a new backyard in just a few seasons if you plant aspens.
Do cultivated trees drop their leaves in the fall?
Note that cultivated trees grown in soil unlike that in which the tree experiences in the wild may stay smaller than trees in nature. They also may drop their leaves in the fall without that brilliant yellow display you see in the parks.
Do aspens die out?
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 is the growing zone in Missouri?
A small area in the southeast corner of the state enjoys the warmer growing zone of 7a. Use the map above to find your location and determine your growing zone.
Why are Missouri's growing zones rising?
Some areas of the country have seen their growing zones rise due to warmer winter lows that are possibly due to global warming. The map of Missouri above is divided into planting zones according to the average extreme winter low temperatures over the last 30 years.
