Aspen Trees: A Complete Guide to Growing, Care, and Propagation

All About Aspen Trees

What is an Aspen Tree?

Aspen trees (Populus tremula) are beautiful, deciduous trees known for their trembling leaves. They are native to the UK and can be found in woodlands, heaths, and along riversides. Aspen trees have broad, heart-shaped leaves with flattened leaf stalks that allow them to flutter easily in the wind.

Identifying Aspen Trees

You can identify aspen trees by their shimmering foliage. In spring, their leaves are coppery brown, and in autumn, they turn a brilliant yellow. Older aspen trees may have black-looking trunks due to lichen growth. Look for slender, dark brown twigs and round leaves with large, irregular teeth.

Value to Wildlife

Aspen trees are valuable to wildlife. They provide food and shelter for birds, insects, and other animals. Aspen hoverflies feed on microorganisms in dead aspen wood, and aspen leaf gall midges create galls on aspen leaves. Beavers also love to eat aspen trees.

Growing Aspen Trees

Aspen trees prefer to grow in moist, well-drained soil in full sun. They are easy to grow and require very little care. Water them well for the first two years after planting, and mulch them annually to suppress weeds and conserve moisture.

Planting Aspen Trees

Dig a square hole and place the rootball at the same level it was in the pot or ground. Back-fill with soil, firm gently, and water well. Stake the tree to keep it upright.

Caring for Aspen Trees

Aspen trees require very little care. Water them regularly, especially during the first two years after planting. Mulch annually to suppress weeds, conserve moisture, and add nutrients to the soil. Remove any suckers that sprout up from the roots.

Propagating Aspen Trees

Aspen trees can be propagated from seed or root cuttings. Taking root cuttings is the easier method.

Step 1: Gently expose the roots of an aspen tree in the spring. Step 2: Cut lengths of root with a diameter of 1-3cm. Step 3: Plant the cuttings horizontally in a seed tray with gritty compost. Step 4: Keep the compost moist and in a warm environment. Step 5: After a few weeks, suckers will grow from the cuttings. Step 6: Cut the suckers away from the original root and plant them in pots. Step 7: Keep the potted cuttings in a warm environment and water them regularly. Step 8: In autumn, pot the cuttings into larger pots and overwinter them in a frost-free spot. Step 9: Plant the cuttings in their final growing positions the following spring.

Pests and Diseases

Aspen trees are not known to be affected by major pests or diseases. However, they can attract insects due to their popularity with wildlife. In a healthy ecosystem, natural predators such as birds will keep insect populations under control.