What is the average altitude of a rocky mountain aspen tree?
Rocky Mountain altitudes. In the Rocky Mountains, the trembling aspen grows in an altitude range of roughly 7,000 to 11,000 feet.
Where do aspen trees grow?
Aspen occurs in extensive pure stands in some areas, while in others, it is a minor component of the forest landscape. Most of the aspen forest in the United States is found in Utah and Colorado, though it is also scattered throughout all of the western states.
How fast do aspen trees grow?
Aspen trees are one of the fastest-growing trees in the world and record a stunning growth every year. Under favorable weather and external factors, Aspen trees can add 5 feet (60 inches) every year to its height. You can identify Aspen trees easily by their white-colored beautiful bark and tender leaves, rounded in the middle with pointed apex.
How big do aspen tree leaves get?
The leaves of young sucker aspens may be much larger, sometimes 7 to 8 inches long. Aspen trees usually do not live more than 150 years, though they may persist more than 200 years.
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Can aspen trees grow in low elevation?
In the western mountains of the United States quaking aspen grow best at the 5,000- to 12,000-foot (1,500- to 3,700-meter) elevation range. Quaking aspen seldom grow below an elevation of 1,500 feet (460 m) due to the mildness of the winter found at this level.
How far south will aspen trees grow?
They are usually less than 50 feet (15 meters) tall. Quaking aspens are the most widely distributed tree species in North America. They grow in Alaska and Canada, all the way south to Mexico.
Can aspen trees grow on the East Coast?
Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) has the widest geographical range of any North American tree. Indigenous to Alaska, most of Canada, the Pacific Northwest, New England, the Great Lakes region and south to New Mexico and Arizona, its southernmost boundary on the east coast is North Carolina.
What zones do aspen trees grow?
Quaking AspenPopulus tremuloidesHardiness Zones. The quaking aspen can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 1–7.Tree Type.Mature Size. The quaking aspen grows to a height of 40–50' and a spread of 20–30' at maturity.Growth Rate. ... Sun Preference. ... Soil Preference. ... Attributes. ... Wildlife Value.More items...
Can you grow aspen trees at sea level?
The trembling aspen can grow at altitudes as low as sea level, such as in the state of Washington along the Pacific coast and in Maine along the Atlantic coast, where moisture and yearly temperatures are ideal.
Can aspen trees survive in Texas?
In Texas, a few small populations of aspen persist on the high peaks above 7,000 feet. They grow in the Guadalupe Mountains, on Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains and below the summit of Mount Livermore in the Davis Mountains. Trembling (or quaking) aspen is the most widespread tree in North America.
Can aspen grow in Zone 7?
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 aspen trees survive in Pennsylvania?
No other tree in North America occupies as large of a native range as the quaking aspen. Reaching nearly from coast to coast, aspens can live in 46 out of the 50 states, including Pennsylvania, though they thrive in cooler temperatures farther North.
Where do aspen grow best?
It grows on many soil types, especially sandy and gravelly slopes, and is quick to pioneer disturbed sites where there is bare soil. It grows best where soils are moist and sunshine is plentiful. Aspen is intolerant of shade, and does not compete well with more shade-tolerant conifer species.
Can aspen trees grow in Zone 6?
The Quaking Aspen Tree grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 2-6. It typically thrives in Full to Partial Sun and has a Moderate-Fast growth rate per year. Once full grown they can reach a height of 40-50 Feet and 20-30 Feet in spread. The Quaking Aspen Tree does best in Moist, Well-Drained Alkaline, clay soil.
Can aspen trees grow in NC?
Quaking aspen is a native deciduous tree in the willow family. It is found in one small area of the mountains of NC and generally does not grow south of zone 6. It has a strongly pyramidal form when young maturing to a narrow rounded crown.
Can aspen trees grow in Northern California?
California Fall Colors Aspen trees can be found at higher mountain elevations in California, usually above 4000′ – all the way up to about 10,000′ or higher, depending on the mountain range and local water flows.
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.
How long do aspen trees live?
The aspen normally will not live long, only about 25 years, when planted for landscaping purposes.
How wide are quaking 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.
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.
Where does quaking aspen grow?
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 is the bark color of a big tooth aspen?
Bigtooth aspen bark is smooth and a gray-white on the immature trees, crisscrossed with black bands. The bark turns a darker hue of gray at the bottom portion of the trunk, with deep furrows, on the older bigtooth aspens. Aspen Poplar Branching Pattern.
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, ...
Where does aspen grow?
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.
How big is an aspen tree?
Photo by Linnea Hanson. Aspen are medium-sized deciduous trees, commonly 20 to 80 feet in height, and 3 to 18 inches diameter . Trees more than 80 feet tall and larger than 24 inches diameter are occasionally found. Their bark is smooth, greenish-white, yellowish-white, yellowish-gray, or gray to almost white in color.
How long do sucker aspens live?
The leaves of young sucker aspens may be much larger, sometimes 7 to 8 inches long. Aspen trees usually do not live more than 150 years, though they may persist more than 200 years. It grows on many soil types, especially sandy and gravelly slopes, and is quick to pioneer disturbed sites where there is bare soil.
How do aspen trees reproduce?
Aspen reproduces both by seeds and by root sprouts , though sprouting is the most common and successful form of reproduction. Aspen produces small flowers, on catkins that are 1-2 inches long. These flowers are produced in the early spring before the leaves grow on the trees.
What is the ability of an aspen tree to regenerate?
Photo by B. Campbell. Aspen is noted for its ability to regenerate vegetatively by shoots and suckers arising along its long lateral roots. Root sprouting results in many genetically identical trees, in aggregate called a "clone". All the trees in a clone have identical characteristics and share a root structure.
How long does it take for aspen to germinate?
The catkins produce small fruit that split to release lots of tiny, cottony seeds that are dispersed by the wind. Germination occurs within a couple days of dispersal provided the seeds reaches a suitable moist seedbed.
What is the Western Aspen Alliance?
The Western Aspen Alliance, a research group at Utah State University’s "S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources", has been studying the tree in an effort to save it. The Forest Service is currently experimenting with several 5-acre sections of it in an effort to find a means to save it.
Where do aspen trees grow?
Also known as quaking aspen, they prominently occur in highly elevated prairies and upland grasslands. Most commonly found in the USA and Canada, aspen trees fall in the likes of every gardener. USDA Zones: 1 to 6. Propagation Method: Root Cutting Method. Soil pH: Slightly acidic.
How tall do aspen trees get?
The quaking Aspen trees are generally medium in size with an average height of 30 feet (9 meters). Under favorable climatic and environmental conditions, the deciduous trees can even grow up to a fascinating height of 80 feet (24 meters).
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.
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 is the name of the tree with a red bark?
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. Bigtooth Aspen: Found in central and eastern regions of North America, Bigtooth Aspen features leaves with larger teeth.
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 tall do acorn trees get?
They are generally small or medium trees, but can grow to 70 feet (21 m.) tall in the wild. Note that cultivated trees grown in soil unlike that in which the tree experiences in the wild may stay smaller than trees in nature.
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 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 .
