# Bigtooth Aspen (*Populus grandidentata*) Bigtooth Aspen has big, round leaves that are fun to see in the wind! This tree is also known for its white bark. - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 12 - **Habitat:** Woodlands and hills - **Also known as:** Largetooth Aspen ![Bigtooth Aspen](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426352/objects/4812.jpg) ## Appearance The Bigtooth Aspen is a tall, slender tree with smooth, greenish-gray bark that develops furrows with age. Its distinctive leaves are broadly oval with large, rounded teeth, turning a brilliant gold or orange in autumn, making its canopy stand out. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Malpighiales - **Family:** Salicaceae - **Genus:** Populus ## Interesting facts - Aspens are famous for their leaves that 'quake' and shimmer with the slightest breeze! - One Bigtooth Aspen colony in Michigan covers over 100 acres and is one giant living thing! - Their smooth, pale bark can photosynthesize, making food even when leaves are gone! - Young aspen trees are a favorite snack for beavers and deer in the forest! ## Special abilities - **Sun Seeker:** Bigtooth Aspens can rapidly grow towards sunlight, allowing them to quickly colonize open, disturbed areas after events like fires. - **Underground Network:** Bigtooth Aspen has special roots that send out new shoots, forming large groves of genetically identical trees. - **Wind Whispers:** Its flattened leaf stems allow leaves to tremble and 'quiver' in the slightest breeze, helping cool the tree and maximize light capture. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 18-27 m - **Spread:** 7-12 m - **Edible:** No - **Size:** 30-60 cm - **Lifespan:** 50-70 years - **Fruit Type:** Capsule - **Growth Rate:** Fast - **Leaf Type:** Deciduous ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Beaver (*Castor canadensis*) — Feeds on bark and twigs. - **Eats:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browses on young leaves and shoots. - **Depends on:** [Canadian Tiger Swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canadian-tiger-swallowtail) (*Papilio canadensis*) — Caterpillars feed on aspen leaves. - **Eats:** [Yellow-bellied Sapsucker](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-bellied-sapsucker) (*Sphyrapicus varius*) — Drills holes in bark to drink the sap. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## 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 to identify Bigtooth Aspen? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Bigtooth Aspen? 18-27 m ### How wide does Bigtooth Aspen spread? 7-12 m ### Is Bigtooth Aspen edible? No ### How big is Bigtooth Aspen? 30-60 cm ### How long does Bigtooth Aspen live? 50-70 years ### Where is Bigtooth Aspen usually found? Woodlands and hills ### What kind of fruit does Bigtooth Aspen produce? Capsule ## Where to spot - [Carriage Paths, Bridges and Gatehouses](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/carriage-paths-bridges-and-gatehouses) — Maine, US · Historic District - [East Greenwich Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-greenwich-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [East Windsor Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-windsor-hill-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Grundy Lake Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grundy-lake-provincial-park) — Ontario, CA · State Park - [Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/oak-knoll-wildlife-sanctuary) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Pennellville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pennellville-historic-district) — Maine, US · Historic District [View all places to see Bigtooth Aspen](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/bigtooth-aspen) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Bigtooth Aspen: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bigtooth-aspen)