Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides)
Family : Salicaceae
Zone: 1 - 6
Zone: 1 - 6
Unique species named for the 'quaking' of the leaves that occurs in the slightest of breeze. This movement is due to the flattened leaf petioles that act as an airfoil, causing the leaves to tremble in the wind. Leaves are also notable when they turn a bright yellow in the fall. This species has the widest distribution of any tree on the North American continent. It can be found from Alaska to the mountainous regions of the Southwest. A medium sized tree reaching 20 - 50 ft at maturity. It tends to form large groves consisting of clones all growing from common root stock. A dioecious species, so grooves are typically all males or all females.