They are one of the most common poplar species in our latitudes and play a significant role in shaping the familiar landscape here. You can find out more about the aspen beyond its quaking leaves in the following short portrait.
What are the characteristics of the quaking aspen?
The quaking aspen (aspen) is a medium-sized poplar species with a height of 20-35 meters and an elongated, large-crowned silhouette. Its trembling foliage is distinctive, as are its catkin flowers and pioneer tree characteristics. In autumn the leaves turn golden yellow.
A medium-sized species of poplar
Within the genus Populus there are between 22 and 89 species that are distributed throughout the northern hemisphere in temperate climates. The quaking aspen or aspen is a populus species that is common in Germany.
Within its genus it is one of the medium-sized representatives. It grows between 20 and 35 m high - the total range of poplar heights ranges from approximately 15 to 45 m.
In terms of habit, the aspen is very typical of the species: it grows with an upright, sometimes slightly inclined trunk and forms a high, elongated to conical crown, which typically creates a very moving picture.
So you can recognize a fully grown aspen from a distance:
- A medium size
- A soft, elongated, large-crowned silhouette
- A swinging movement
Trembling Aspen Leaves
The aspen is known for its trembling leaves. The reason why the leaves can be so easily swayed up and down by the wind is due to their very long stem, which is flattened on the underside. On the other hand, the wide leaf blade also offers a relatively large attack surface.
Depending on whether it grows on the long or short shoot, the foliage is rounded and wavy-edged or triangular and entire-edged. In autumn the leaves turn a beautiful golden yellow.
Kittenblossoms
The aspen produces kitten-shaped flowers even before the leaves appear. Like all poplars, it is dioecious, meaning it has representatives with purely male or purely female flowers. Both pollination and seed dispersal occur through wind. The fruit ripening of the capsule fruits on the female catkins begins at the end of May. Then you can see the seeds flying through the air, equipped with a tuft of fluff that helps them fly.
Undemanding, soil-improving and biodiversity-promoting
The aspen is one of the so-called pioneer trees because it does not shy away from colonizing rather unattractive fallow areas and clear-cuts. It doesn't place any special demands on the soil. As if this frugality wasn't enough, it even contributes to improving the quality of the soil, because its fallen leaves are very nutrient-rich and decompose quickly.
Aspen flowers are also a valuable source of food for butterflies.
