1. Native / Non-native Status
Native to the UK, Europe, and much of Asia.
2. Evergreen / Deciduous
Deciduous – leaves fall in autumn.
3. Appearance
Leaves: Almost circular (3–7 cm), finely toothed, with flattened stalks (petioles) that cause them to quiver and tremble in the slightest breeze. Glossy green in summer, turning yellow to golden orange in autumn. Arranged alternately.
Bark: Smooth, pale grey-green when young, often with darker diamond-shaped marks; older trees develop rougher, fissured bark at the base.
Flowers/Fruit/Seeds: Catkins appear before the leaves in early spring – male catkins reddish, female greenish. Seeds are tiny with tufts of white fluff, carried on the wind in late spring to early summer.
Overall shape: A medium-sized tree, usually slender and upright with an open, light crown. Often forms clonal groves from root suckers.
4. Typical Size
17–22 m tall; spread usually 5–10 m.
5. Habitat & Range
Widespread across the UK but scattered and local. Prefers light, sandy or gravelly soils, often in open woodland, heathland edges, and upland areas. Frequently forms colonies via suckering roots.
6. Distinctive Features (ID tips)
Trembling leaves on flattened stalks (unique movement in the breeze).
Pale bark with dark markings.
Colonies of many stems arising from a shared root system.
7. Seasonal Changes
Spring: Catkins appear before leaves.
Summer: Fresh green, constantly fluttering foliage.
Autumn: Leaves turn yellow to orange.
Winter: Bare, with pale grey stems standing out.
8. Human Uses
Timber light and soft, historically used for matches, clogs, and crates.
Coppiced for fuel and poles in some rural areas.
Young shoots once fed to livestock.
9. Wildlife Value
Leaves are a foodplant for caterpillars of several moths, including the rare large poplar longhorn beetle (in Europe).
Supports aspen hoverfly (Hammerschmidtia ferruginea) and many specialist invertebrates.
Seeds eaten by small birds; bark and shoots browsed by deer and hares.
Colonies provide diverse habitats for insects and nesting birds.
10. Fun Fact / Cultural Note
Known as the “quaking aspen” because of its constantly trembling leaves.
In folklore, this trembling was linked to fear or guilt; one tale claimed the cross of Christ was made from aspen, hence its perpetual shivering.
Genetic clones can be ancient — North American colonies of aspen are some of the oldest living organisms on Earth.
11. Planting & Care (Basic Instructions)
Best time to plant: Late autumn or early spring.
Soil: Prefers light, sandy, or gravelly soils but adaptable; dislikes heavy waterlogging.
Light: Best in full sun but tolerates light shade.
Watering: Water regularly until established; moderately drought-tolerant once mature.
Spacing: Allow 5–8 m apart; can form thickets if suckering is not controlled.
Aftercare: Mulch base to conserve moisture. Protect young stems from browsing. Remove unwanted suckers if managing for single trees.
12. Good for Urban or Garden Setting?
Urban: Rarely used; root suckers can be invasive and unsuitable for tight spaces, but can work in parkland plantings.
Garden: Not recommended for small gardens; better suited to large gardens, estates, or naturalistic plantings. Provides good wildlife value if space allows.