2 named cultivars

treeN. America Native

Quaking Aspen

Populus tremuloides

$94.95

The Story

Plant Bio

Populus tremuloides, quaking aspen, is a slender deciduous tree native across Alaska, Canada and much of the United States, reaching forty to fifty feet. Smooth greenish-white bark marks it out at any season, and its rounded leaves are held on flattened stalks that make them tremble in the lightest breeze. Autumn brings clear gold.

It spreads by root suckers into clonal groves, and a stand of aspen is often a single organism many thousands of years old — the largest known covers over a hundred acres. That same suckering makes it difficult in a small garden, and it is short-lived and disease-prone outside its cool native range.

Uses & Benefits:

White bark, trembling foliage and clear gold autumn colour, especially effective planted in groups.

Grows fast and colonises disturbed ground and slopes in cool climates.

Foliage hosts many butterfly and moth larvae; bark and buds feed deer, grouse and beaver.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

540 inches

Width

300 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Alaska, Canada and much of the United States

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Fast Growing Trees

In Stock$94.95

PlantingTree

In Stock$114.95

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring in moist, well-drained soil.
Choose full sun and a cool position.
Give it room; it suckers freely into a grove.
Water through the first two seasons.
Remove unwanted suckers annually.
Avoid hot, humid regions where it declines fast.

Pro Tip

Only plant it if a grove is what you want — suckers come up many feet from the trunk and mowing them off is a permanent commitment.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in cool climates with full sun ❄️
Allow space for a clonal grove 🌳
Remove suckers yearly if unwanted ✂️
Water through establishment 💧

Don't

Plant near paving, lawns or foundations ❌
Expect it to thrive in hot humid summers ❌
Expect a long-lived specimen tree ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Monitor
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Clonal grove on a large propertyFast screen in a cool climateAutumn-colour massing

Companion Plants

Serviceberry Red Twig Dogwood Big Bluestem Wild Bergamot Paper Birch

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Quaking Aspen questions

What zones can Quaking Aspen grow in?

Quaking Aspen is hardy in USDA Zones 4–7. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Quaking Aspen deer resistant?

Yes — Quaking Aspen is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Quaking Aspen bloom?

Quaking Aspen typically blooms in early spring through mid-spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Quaking Aspen need full sun?

Quaking Aspen does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Quaking Aspen drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Quaking Aspen handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.