Quaking Aspen

This deciduous tree is celebrated for its striking appearance and ecological benefits. It features smooth, pale bark with black scars and knots, and nearly round, glossy green leaves that turn a brilliant golden-yellow in the fall. The dark-green summer foliage contrasts beautifully with the white bark. The leaves, attached to branches with flattened petioles, tremble or quake in the lightest breeze, giving the tree its common name. Quaking Aspen often propagates through its roots, forming large clonal groves that can cover extensive areas. With a narrow, rounded crown, it is ideal for naturalizing, providing habitat for wildlife, and serving as a shade tree or specimen in the landscape. It prefers moist, well-drained soils, tolerating a range of soil conditions.