Quite often called the quaking aspen as the leaves flutter in the slightest of breezes, accentuated by the flashing of the pale undersides.
The Aspen is a slender elegant tree growing to approx 20m
The bark is typically smooth but may be furrowed at the base. Colour varies from greenish-white, yellowish-white, yellowish-grey, yellowish-brown to grey white
Branches are spreading forming a rounded crown.
Twigs are smooth and slender and a reddish brown colour, changing to greyish brown or greyish orange by the 3rd year of growth. Many, but not all twigs, are self-pruning with numerous small twigs dropping in the autumn to rid the tree of excess foliage.
Leaves are broadly oval to almost circular and are bluntly and coarsely toothed on the margins, they measure approx 15-18mm. The leaves are dark green and shiny above with very pale green undersides. The leaf stem is flattened from side to side, allowing the leaf to twist and flutter in the slightest of breezes. In the autumn after the first frosts the leaves give us a fantastic display of bright yellow, orange, red and gold colours.
Flowers appear February - March as Catkiins measuring approx 50 - 80mm, male and female flowers growing on separate trees. Male flowers have reddish - purple anthers and female flowers have pink stigmas.
Fruit appears as two-valved light green to brown capsules.
Seeds are light and tufted for efficient wind dispersal.
The Aspen has an extensive root system that can encompass a huge area. Lateral roots may expand more than 100 feet into adjacent open areas. Roots are able to sucker and produce new stems after fire or other disturbances and even though the Aspen is a relatively short lived tree with a life span approx 40-70 years these freely suckering clones can survive for thousands and thousands of years.
The aspen, because it is a short live tree, grows extremely fast and can reach a height of 80ft in less than 20 years.
Aspen can grow on relatively poor soil but does grow best on rich, moist loams or on well-drained silt or clay loams with an abundant supply of calcium.
The Aspen is extremely intolerant of shade and prefers full sunlight for good growth and a decent chance of survival.