Quaking Aspen
ExploreTrees
Quaking Aspen
Populus tremula
Quaking Aspen is known for its leaves that flutter in the breeze! This tree has white bark and grows tall and straight.
Habitat: Forests and hillsides
Appearance
The Quaking Aspen has smooth, pale greenish-white bark, often marked with dark scars. Its small, rounded leaves, attached by flattened petioles, shimmer and "quake" distinctively in the slightest breeze, creating a beautiful silver-green display.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalpighialesFamilySalicaceaeGenusPopulus
Category
TreesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
1
Interesting facts
After a wildfire, aspens often emerge first, helping restore life to the scorched land!
Aspen groves can be one of the largest and heaviest living things on Earth!
The 'quaking' sound of their leaves has earned them many nicknames, like 'whispering giant'.
Their white bark uses chlorophyll to make food, even in winter when leaves are gone.
Special abilities
Ability
Clone Army
Quaking Aspen can form vast underground networks, allowing hundreds of genetically identical trees to sprout from one root system.
Ability
Shimmering Shield
Quaking Aspen has flattened leaf stems that make its leaves tremble, helping it efficiently capture sunlight and cool itself.
Ability
Fire Rescuer
Quaking Aspen can rapidly resprout from its root system after devastating forest fires, quickly reclaiming burnt landscapes.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 15-30 m
- Canopy Spread
- 5-10 m
- Edible
- Yes
- Trunk Diameter
- 30-60 cm
- Lifespan
- 60-150 years
- Fruit Type
- Capsule
- Growth Rate
- Medium
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
Ecological connections
eaten by
Elk
Cervus canadensis
Elk browse on aspen leaves and twigs.
eats
American Beaver
Castor canadensis
Beavers fell aspens for food and dam building.
eaten by
Moose
Alces alces
Moose heavily browse on aspen saplings and branches.
eats
Ruffed Grouse
Bonasa umbellus
Ruffed Grouse eat aspen buds in winter.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
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 Quaking Aspen?
15-30 m
How wide does Quaking Aspen spread?
5-10 m
Is Quaking Aspen edible?
Yes
How big is Quaking Aspen?
30-60 cm
How long does Quaking Aspen live?
60-150 years
Where is Quaking Aspen usually found?
Forests and hillsides
What kind of fruit does Quaking Aspen produce?
Capsule
How fast does Quaking Aspen grow?
Medium
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Where to spot
Park40 sightings8 species
British Columbia, CA
Moyie Lake Provincial Park
You might spot Red Osier Dogwood, Lodgepole Pine, and Common Juniper.
View guide →
.jpg)
Park8 sightings8 species
Manitoba, CA
Whiteshell Provincial Park
You might spot Canadian Bunchberry, Jack Pine, and Paper Birch.
View guide →
Park48 sightings6 species
British Columbia, CA
Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park
You might spot Columbian Ground Squirrel and Spotted Knapweed.
View guide →
.jpg)
Park40 sightings6 species
South Dakota, US
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
You might spot Least Chipmunk and Rocky Mountains Ponderosa Pine.
View guide →
Park22 sightings5 species
British Columbia, CA
Crowsnest Provincial Park
You might spot Common Alpine, Common Juniper, and Field Chickweed.
View guide →
Zoo6 sightings5 species
Saarland, DE
Wildpark Völklingen
You might spot Red Deer, European Fallow Deer, and Sika Deer.
View guide →
