HLC-06

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Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides)

Common Name: Trembling Aspen
Scientific Name: Populus tremuloides
Other Names:

Leaf: Simple, alternate; small, smooth, round, with pointed tip; fine toothed; 3-6cm. On long slender flattened stalk, perpendicular to the leaf; dark green above, paler below, turns yellow or red in the fall.
Flower: Small, capsules, covered with cottony down; flowers born in male and female catkins that appear on separate trees, male catkins small and 2-3 cm, female catkins large and 4-10 cm.
Fruit: Fluffy seeds; in hanging green capsules; each capsule contains about 10 seeds; dispersed in late spring; good seed crops every 4-5 years.
Twig: Thin; shiny; dark green or brownish grey.
Bark: Pale greyish-white when young, dark when mature; smooth and waxy with horizontal lines when young, furrowed when mature; does not peel; sometimes there are diamond shaped marks.
Wood: Soft, brittle, not durable; used for pulp, waferboard, and chopsticks.

Facts About This Tree:
1. Trembling aspens can grow to be up to 25 m tall. The leaves are very distictive because they quiver when there is wind.
2. They can sprout from root suckers and form clones of individual stems. Clones can be identfied when multiple trees grow (spring) or loose (fall) leaves simultaneously.
3. They are tolerant of a variety of soil conditions and prefer full sun (shade intolerant).
4. A number of Native names meaning ‘woman’s togue’ or ‘noisy tree’ was inspired by the trembling leaves of this tree.
5. They can be infected by parasites. Heart-rot fungus (Fomes ignarius populinus) produces hollow trunks used by nesters such as flying squirrels, woodpeckers, ducks and owls.
6. Approximately 500 species of plants and animals use aspen. They are preferred food sources for deer, moose, beavers, and snowshow hares.

Lat, Long: 43.73723, -79.78667
Diameter (DBH): 31.4 cm
Last Year Modified: 2015
Carbon Stored in this Tree: 213.027 kg of C
Equivalent CO2: 781.021 kg of C

Find more trees in Heart Lake Conservation Area.

Reference
1. B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations. Trembling aspen. retrieved on Nov. 2014 from http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/documents/treebook/tremblingaspen.htm
2. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. 2014. Trembling Aspen. retrieved on Nov. 2014 from http://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/trembling-aspen
3. Farrar, J. L. 2007. Trees in Canada. ON. Canadian Forest Service.
4. Linda Kershaw. 2001. Trees of Ontario. Edmonton, AB Canada. Lone Pine Publishing
5. Populus tremuloides by Matt Lavin via Flickr; https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/5002913002/
Populus tremuloides by Matt Lavin via Flickr – https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/5002309357/;
Populus tremuloides by Matt Lavin via Flickr – https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/5002915056/;
Catkins by Nomadic Lass via Flickr – https://www.flickr.com/photos/nomadic_lass/13971371924/; Wu Wu Yie Juan

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