Quaking Aspen

I first saw this species in central Minnesota where it is called Poppel, and is a widespread and dominant tree around there as it is in m...Read Moreuch of the Rocky Mountains. People in the northwoods of MN consider it often as a weed that spreads a lot by underground roots; it is not. It is a beautiful ornamental tree with smooth white bark and good fall color. Some nuseries in northern ILL grow it. I knew of one landscaper from McKay Nursery in southern WI who liked to plant bareroot trees in the Chicago area. I once saw one little spot of a few wild aspens along the "prairie path" in Warrenville, IL. Some patches of it are found in southern WI and a lot more in central WI. In the northwoods it lives about 50 to 100 years and grows about 2 to 4 feet/year. It is short-lived in the Chicago area of about 30 to 40 years, dying from canker disease, but I think it is worth growing there in a yard. It does not spread much around in Chicagoland by underground roots or stems. I've seen it growing in northern Pennsylvania and northeast Ohio in various spots on the edge of the big woods and found one colony in southern New Jersey in the pine barrens. I had forgotten that I planted one in the side yard at my first house in the west suburbs of Chicago in 1990 and it is still there in August 2018 and it made one sprout that became a small tree.

The new cultivar 'Prairie Gold' from southeastern Nebraska, and released by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum has proven to be well adapte...Read Mored to lower elevation conditions. I have trialed it at my home, and a nearby Arboretum is also trying in our local climate. So far, so good.

Aspens are best in natural areas as groves. The root systems should never be distrubed as this encourages suckering. Few if any other trees can offer the visual and audible impact that an aspen can on a windy day. They are truly facinating to see and hear.

Beautiful trees especially when the wind blows through the leaves. Very fast growing so they make a great tree when a tree is needed quic...Read Morek. However, the new trees coming off the roots will take over even after being cut back year after year. The sap also attracts wasps and hornets.

Yes, this is a very fast growing tree. Like a WEED. It will send runners all over your yard, your neighbors yard, and your neighbors ne...Read Moreighbors yard. It will send shoots around your yard and planting beds that you will have to mow and pull out unless you want more trees. Every where you dig, you will run into its roots.

This plant is a weed. A huge mistake for 1st time homeowners who didn't know any better. Don't plant it. EVER.

They are known to hollow out with age, making it weak, which is a liability when planted near any home or any structure.

If you care for the foundation of your home, the integrity of your soil, the life span of your planting beds or your lawn, your relationship with your neighbors, keep this tree out of your neighborhood.