Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) Plants

Well-known for its trembling leaves, smooth pale bark, and golden yellow fall foliage, quaking aspen is the most widely distributed tree species in North America, found from Canada to Mexico. Quaking aspen is fast growing and under ideal conditions, may spread vigorously through root suckers to form groves. Although individual stems are short-lived (50 years), the clonal grove can live for hundreds of years. Aspen support an immense amount of wildlife, including various herbivores (leaf beetles, borers, and aphids that specialize on Populus spp.) and insectivorous birds. Also a larval host for Compton tortoiseshell, viceroy, and mourning cloak butterflies.