Quaking Aspen Plant Care

Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) belongs to the Salicaceae family within the Populus genus. Quaking Aspen is native to North America, Alaska, Canada, United States, Mexico. Quaking Aspen is also known as Trembling Aspen, American Aspen, Golden Aspen.

Quaking Aspen displays a fast, upright growth habit, reaching up to 50 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Quaking Aspen produces small, inconspicuous catkins on separate male and female trees.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Quaking Aspen every 3–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Quaking Aspen thrives in full sun.

Populus tremuloides tolerates temperatures of -40–90°F. Quaking Aspen prefers humidity levels of 30–70%.

Well-draining soil mix. Good drainage is essential for Quaking Aspen to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Quaking Aspen every month during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining soil mix. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Quaking Aspen is suited to USDA Zone 1a – 7b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Quaking Aspen can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 50 ft (15 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Quaking Aspen while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Quaking Aspen is hardy down to USDA zone 1a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Quaking Aspen can be propagated through can be propagated by seeds or root cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to white poplar plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Quaking Aspen is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, leaf beetles. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Quaking Aspen grows outdoors in USDA Zone 1a – 7b. It survives winters down to planting zone 1a. Quaking Aspen is native to North America, Alaska, Canada, United States, Mexico.