Quaking aspen
Populus tremuloides 路 Salicaceae 路 also Trembling aspen, American aspen
A slender tree with smooth chalky-white bark marked with black scars and nearly round leaves on flattened stalks that tremble in the slightest breeze and turn brilliant gold in fall. It spreads by root suckers into clonal groves, so it is a grove or naturalized-area tree rather than a lawn specimen; individual stems are short-lived, brittle and prone to cankers and borers, especially in hot lowland cities.
Where it stands
Care
Transplants poorly, so plant small container stock in a cool, sunny, moist spot and expect to remove suckers. Water regularly while establishing. Prune dead wood in dormancy. Cytospora and hypoxylon cankers, poplar borers, leaf spots and tent caterpillars are common on stressed trees; 'Prairie Gold' tolerates heat better.
Benefits
Good for