Aspen
ExploreTrees
Aspen
Populus tremuloides
Aspen trees have beautiful white bark and their leaves shake in the wind, making a lovely sound! They're like nature's little dancers.
Habitat: Mountain forests and open areas
Appearance
The Aspen has strikingly smooth, pale greenish-white bark, often marked with dark scars that resemble eyes. Its small, rounded leaves have flattened stems, making them tremble and shimmer in the slightest breeze, creating a distinctive rustling sound.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalpighialesFamilySalicaceaeGenusPopulus
Category
TreesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
48
Interesting facts
Aspen bark contains a natural pain reliever, similar to aspirin, used by ancient peoples!
Aspen's leaves turn a brilliant gold or yellow in autumn, lighting up entire mountainsides!
Its light, strong wood is used to make safety matches because it doesn't leave an afterglow!
The world's largest living organism is an Aspen clone named Pando, in Utah!
Special abilities
Ability
Trembling Leaves
Aspen has unique flattened leaf stems that make its leaves tremble and shimmer, which helps maximize sun exposure and allows light to reach lower branches.
Ability
Clonal Colonizer
Aspen can form vast underground root systems, allowing it to sprout many new trees that are genetically identical, creating entire forests from one organism.
Ability
Winter Photosynthesis
Aspen has chlorophyll in its smooth, pale bark, which helps it continue to photosynthesize and produce energy even in winter when its leaves have fallen.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 15-30 m
- Canopy Spread
- 5-10 m
- Edible
- No
- Trunk Diameter
- 20-50 cm
- Lifespan
- 60-150 years
- Fruit Type
- Capsule
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
Ecological connections
eats
American Beaver
Castor canadensis
Beavers fell aspens for food and building materials.
eats
Moose
Alces alces
Moose browse on aspen leaves, twigs, and bark, especially in winter.
eats
Elk
Cervus elaphus
Elk graze on young aspen shoots and strips bark during winter.
depends on
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
Sapsuckers drill holes in aspen bark to drink sap and attract insects.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Fall Color
Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Mountain
This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.
Also known as
Trembling Aspen
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Aspen?
15-30 m
How wide does Aspen spread?
5-10 m
Is Aspen edible?
No
How big is Aspen?
20-50 cm
How long does Aspen live?
60-150 years
Where is Aspen usually found?
Mountain forests and open areas
What kind of fruit does Aspen produce?
Capsule
How fast does Aspen grow?
Fast
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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