Bigtooth Aspen

Bigtooth Aspen

Banner Photo Credit: Darren Kirby CC by SA 2.0

Family: Saliaceae
Latin Name: Populus grandidentata
Common Name(s): Bigtooth Aspen

Deciduous or Evergreen: Deciduous
Native Range: Northeastern United States
USDA Hardiness Zone: 1-6
Mature Height: 30-60’
Mature Spread: 20-30’
Bloom Time: May-June
Native to Minnesota: Yes
Shade Tolerant: No

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Description:

Bigtooth aspen in a fast growing, medium sized tree noted for its toothed leaves. Leaves are alternate and simple, with an ovate shape becoming pointed at the tip. Leaves are typically 3-4” long, and have coarse, toothed margins. They are dull green on top and lighter green on the underside. Bigtooth aspen is a dioecious tree speices, meaning trees either have male or female flowers. Flowers of both sexes are brownish, fuzzy catkins. Female flowers develop into dry seedpods that open to reveal cottony-tufted seeds in mid summer. The bark is thin, smooth, and whitish when young and develops thick ridges and diamond shaped lenticels as the tree ages.

 

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Bigtooth aspen wood is used primarily for pulp or particle boards. The bark can be pelletized for cattle feed and fuel. Stands of bigtooth aspen are often mixed in with the more commonly found quaking aspen (P. tremuloides), and little commercial distinction is made between the two.

 

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Issues:

Bigtooth aspens can be attacked by the fungus Entoleuca mammata, which causes the hypoxylon canker. The canker can significantly damage or kill the tree, along with other poplar and willow species. The forest tent caterpillar, large aspen tortrix, and poplar borer are common insect pests.

Other Resources:

US Forestry Service

Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden

UMN Extension - Hypoxolyn Canker

 

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Photo Credit: Public Domain