Quaking Aspen

Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides)

Here we’ve got a trembling tree, the Quaking Aspen, who’s name comes from the way its leaves seem to “quake” in the wind. This will be the first tree you see when leaving the house and headed towards the fields. I particulary appreciate this aspen, not only for its beautiful colors but for the sounds the leaves make when the breeze blows through. Growing to a height of 30-70 feet, with a trunk between one and two feet in diameter, this tree can grow in a pure stand or in a mixed-conifer forest. Pure stands can often be found after a heavy cut or burn. This tree does not do well in dense forests as it does not tolerate persistent shade. Just as it is the most widely distributed tree in North America, it is also one of the most highly distributed around my home and the surrounding woods.