Quaking AspenPopulus tremuloides
Quaking Aspen is the most abundant and widespread tree in Minnesota today and the most common Populus species in North America. The huge stands across northern Minnesota are the result of clear cutting our expansive pine forests a century ago. Fire suppression has also allowed it to expand into historical prairie habitats were subsoil moisture is adequate to sustain it through dry periods. In the winter months its bark could be confused with other Populus species but its small, shiny and hairless buds that are not coated with resin distinguishes it from other similar species. Used primarily for reforesting an area quickly due to its pioneer qualities, especially in cut-over and burned areas.
USDA symbol: POTR5
General Information
| Plant Type | Tree |
|---|---|
| Height | 40 to 100 feet |
| Light Exposure | Sun, Part Sun |
| Soil Moisture | Dry |
| Bloom Color | Red, Green |
Tolerances
| Flooding / Inundation Tolerance | Moderate |
|---|---|
| General Resilience | 8 |
| Salt Tolerance | Medium |
| Stress Tolerance | Fire Tolerant, General Disturbance |
Pollinator Value: Very High
| Bloom Months | April to May |
|---|---|
| Larval Host of | Butterflies, Moths |
| Specific Pollinators Hosted | Erynnis icelus, Hemileuca nevadensis, Phyllonorycter apparella |
Project Planning
| Project Type | Restoration, Sandy or Engineered Soils |
|---|---|
| Coefficient of Conservatism | 2 |
| Herbivore Sensitivity | Medium |
| Lifespan | Perennial |
| Rate of Spread | Fast |
| Soil Stabilization | Deep |
| Vegetative Reproduction | Clonal |
Range
| County | Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Renville, Rice, Roseau, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Wright |
|---|---|
| Ecoregion | Driftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains |
| Approximate Eco Province | Eastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands |