Quaking Aspen
Populus tremuloides
Quaking aspen's flattened leaf stems let its round leaves flutter and shimmer in even the lightest breeze. Groves often begin as a single tree that spreads by root suckers into vast genetically identical clonal colonies — some of the oldest and largest organisms on Earth.
Where found
Moist mountain meadows, avalanche chutes, and open slopes throughout the Cascades and Rockies.
Fun facts
- The "Pando" clone in Utah, a single aspen root system, is considered one of the largest living organisms on the planet.
- A flattened leaf stalk (petiole) is what makes the leaves quake in the wind.
- Bark is smooth and pale, often marked with black horizontal scars.
Specs
| Height | 10–25 m |
|---|---|
| Spread | 6–10 m |
| Lifespan | 100–150 yrs (clonal root system far longer) |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Native Range | Alaska to Mexico — the most widely distributed tree in North America |
