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Populus tremula - L.

Common Name Aspen Poplar, European aspen, Aspen
Family Salicaceae
USDA hardiness 2-5
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Found in open woodlands and scrubby heathland, usually on poorer soils where it is sometimes dominant[17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Iceland south and east to N. Africa, temperate Asia to Japan.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Populus tremula Aspen Poplar, European aspen, Aspen


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:376_Populus_tremula.jpg
Populus tremula Aspen Poplar, European aspen, Aspen

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Oval.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Populus tremula is a deciduous Tree growing to 18 m (59ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2. It is in flower from February to March, and the seeds ripen from May to June. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Inner bark
Edible Uses:

Inner bark - dried, ground into a powder then added to flour and used for making bread etc[2, 115]. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails[177].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Anodyne  Antiinflammatory  Bach  Diuretic  Expectorant  Febrifuge  Stimulant

The bark and the leaves are mildly diuretic, expectorant and stimulant[9, 165]. The plant is seldom used medicinally, but is sometimes included in propriety medicines for chronic prostate and bladder disorders[9]. Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the bark of most, if not all members of the genus contain salicin, a glycoside that probably decomposes into salicylic acid (aspirin) in the body[213, 238]. The bark is therefore anodyne, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge. It is used especially in treating rheumatism and fevers, and also to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps[238]. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Vague fears of unknown origin', 'Anxiety' and 'Apprehension'[209].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Charcoal  Shelterbelt  Soil conditioner  Wood

A very fast growing and wind resistant tree, it can be planted to provide a shelterbelt[11, 24]. Trees can also be planted to improve heavy clay soils in neglected woodlands[200]. Wood - very soft, elastic, easily split, rather woolly in texture, without smell or taste, of low flammability, not durable, very resistant to abrasion. It makes a high quality paper and is also used to make a very good charcoal11, 21, 46, 100, 115].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A very easily grown plant, it does well in a heavy cold damp soil[1], preferring a neutral to acid soil, and avoiding calcareous soils[11, 24]. The sub-species P. tremula davidiana. (Dode.)Schneid. is tolerant of extremely alkaline soils[200]. The species generally prefers a deep rich well-drained circumneutral soil, growing best in the south and east of Britain[11, 200]. Growth is much less on wet soils, on poor acid soils and on thin dry soils[11]. This species grows well on poor soils, probably because of its intolerance of competition[186]. Plants are very tolerant of exposure[24], doing well in cold exposed sites so long as sufficient moisture is present. Plants dislike shade[186], and are intolerant of root or branch competition[200]. A fast growing tree but it is short-lived[186]. Trees produce suckers freely and can form dense thickets[186]. The aspen is a very good wildlife plant, it has over 90 associated insect species[24] and is a food plant for the green hairstreak butterfly[186]. Poplars have very extensive and aggressive root systems that can invade and damage drainage systems. Especially when grown on clay soils, they should not be planted within 12 metres of buildings since the root system can damage the building's foundations by drying out the soil[11]. Can be planted to improve heavy clay soils in neglected woodlands[200]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Special Features:Not North American native, Wetlands plant, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - must be sown as soon as it is ripe in spring[113]. Poplar seed has an extremely short period of viability and needs to be sown within a few days of ripening[200]. Surface sow or just lightly cover the seed in trays in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the old frame. If sufficient growth is made, it might be possible to plant them out in late summer into their permanent positions, otherwise keep them in the cold frame until the following late spring and then plant them out. Most poplar species hybridize freely with each other, so the seed may not come true unless it is collected from the wild in areas with no other poplar species growing[11]. Cuttings of mature wood in November/December in a sheltered outdoor bed. This species is rather difficult from cuttings[11, 113]. Suckers in early spring[78]. Root cuttings in the winter[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

1117200

Links / References

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Readers comment

David Beaulieu   Wed Jan 11 2006

Poplar Trees Information for homeowners about growing poplar trees.

J Chapman   Tue Jul 10 2007

Are mature Poplar trees suitable for small domestic gardens? We now have nearby several trees, probably about 80 ft tall and the mess they are creating in nearby gardens has to be seen to be believed. This invasion started in May and is still continuing. Every surface is covered daily in cotton type fluff which invades doors and windows and makes a mess inside the houses as well as outside. All food has to be covered if a door or window is opened. Also, is this dust a health hazard, being so thick and so near to homes? I would appreciate your comments.

ed   Mon Mar 23 2009

The fluff isn't dangerous in the slightest, though it is a nuisance. All poplars are dioecious, which means that there are male and female trees, and it is the girls that make all the mess. In the case of Aspen, the males produce lovely big furry catkins that put on a display before falling to the ground without a fuss. To my knowledge, all Aspen sold commercially is male and will not cause any problems. The only issue for a small garden is the suckers, which will need regular cutting back. I hope that this helps.

Ashridge Trees Page about Aspen

jim franks   Sat Jul 11 2009

have cut down & treated 2 trees in garden but roots are still poducing fresh shoots; how can i kill these off?

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