2 Common Aspen Trees In Maine (Photos & Identification)
The natural beauty of Maine’s landscape is enhanced by a wide variety of native tree species, each of which has its own special charms and ecological significance. Aspen trees stand out among these fascinating trees because of their distinctive quivering leaves and striking white bark.
The quaking aspen and the bigtooth aspen, two native aspen trees in Maine, will be discussed in detail in this article. To help you identify them, we will provide clear pictures and in-depth descriptions of their bark, leaves, flowers, and other distinguishing characteristics.
Let’s begin our exploration of the Aspen Trees in Maine.
1. Bigtooth Aspen
- Scientific Name: Populus grandidentata Michx
- Common Name(s): Bigtooth aspen, poplar, popple
- Mature Height: 60–80 feet (18–24 meters)
- Native Region: Occurs statewide in Maine
- Flowers: Catkins that appear before the leaves
- Fruit: Small, light seeds carried by the wind
- Uses: Wood is used for various purposes, including rails for apple-picking ladders.
Bigtooth aspen, often known as poplar or popple, is one of the most commonly found aspen trees in Maine. It is a fast-growing tree found across Maine. It is frequently found growing with quaking aspen. This tree grows well in a variety of soil types and can adapt to a variety of environmental situations. However, it grows best in rich, sandy, and relatively moist soil.
Bigtooth aspen, unlike quaking aspen, is more shade-tolerant and can compete with other species. It can create scattered or small groves and has a superior overall shape. The tree matures to a height of 60-80 feet and a diameter of 10-20 inches.
Bigtooth aspen bark is smooth and varies in color from olive to gray-green. Older trees may have darker bark that is separated into broad, uneven, flat ridges.
The bigtooth aspen’s leaves are alternately arranged and have a large egg-shaped form. They’re around 3-4 inches long with a dark green upper surface. The leaves have a striking silvery-green tint when they first emerge in April. The leaf edges are serrated coarsely and unevenly. The petiole, often known as the leaf stalk, is flat in shape.
Catkins of the bigtooth aspen come before the leaves. Its fruit ripens around May, around the time the leaves appear. The tree produces tiny, light seeds that the wind can easily spread over great distances. Bigtooth aspen buds are dull gray, slightly hairy, and nonsticky.
Bigtooth aspen wood is comparable to quaking aspen wood and can be utilized for a variety of purposes. It is often used for rails in the construction of apple-picking ladders, as well as in ordinary carpentry and woodworking.
Bigtooth aspen is a useful tree in Maine landscapes because of its rapid growth, adaptability to diverse soil types, and ability to flourish in shade. It is suitable for use in forest plantations, windbreaks, and as an ornamental tree. Its visually appealing foliage adds aesthetic charm to the landscape. The wood of the bigtooth aspen can also be exploited for a variety of woodworking tasks.
2. Quaking Aspen
- Scientific Name: Populus tremuloides Michx.
- Common Name(s): Quaking aspen, popple, trembling aspen
- Mature Height: 60–75 feet (18–23 meters)
- Native Region: North America
- Flowers: Catkins, appearing before the leaves (No Flowers specified in the reference)
- Fruit: Capsule
- Uses: Lumber, trim, pallets, oriented strand board, landscape ties, plywood, core stock, expendable turnery items, pulp, cattle feed, firewood for cooking
The Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides), often known as popple or trembling aspen, is a common and fast-growing tree that can be found across Maine. It can be found in isolated stands or with other species. Along with paper birch, the tree is generally the first to establish itself after major logging or burning. Quaking aspen grows best in sandy, damp soils, but it can tolerate a variety of soil types.
This beautiful tree has slender branches that are widely spaced and can be bent. It grows to heights of 60-75 feet (18-23 meters) and a diameter of 10-16 inches, with a round and narrow head. The bark is smooth and pale green with dark brown spots.
The bark of old trees is ash-gray and darkens at the base, and it is separated into broad flat ridges. The bark has a unique bitter flavor that is akin to quinine.
The leaves are alternating, circular, and about 112-3 inches long. They are dark green and glossy on top, with finely rounded teeth. The flattened petiole, which makes a rustling sound in the breeze, is what causes the trembling leaves.
Catkin blooms appear before the leaves on quaking aspen. The reference, however, does not provide specifics about the color or shape of the blooms. Within capsules, the tree produces small, light, cottony seeds.
The wind can easily transport these seeds over large distances. Quaking Aspen buds are dark brown, lacquered in appearance, and slightly sticky. Typically, flower buds are larger than leaf buds.
Quaking Aspen wood is close-grained and delicate in texture, but it rots easily, limiting its endurance. Despite this, it has a wide range of applications, including trim, lumber, pallets, oriented strand board, landscaping ties, plywood, core stock, and throwaway turnery goods.
The tree is widely employed in the production of paper pulp. It was previously crushed up and cooked as livestock fodder. Quaking Aspen has also been used as cooking firewood, and its moniker “biscuit wood” refers to its historical use in baking.
Because of its rapid growth and adaptability to a variety of soil types, Quaking Aspen can be a great addition to Maine landscapes. It can be planted in mixed stands or as a solo tree, and its slender branches and trembling leaves provide aesthetic appeal. Its smooth, pale green bark is quite appealing.
Given its predilection for sandy, damp soils, appropriate irrigation, and soil moisture are critical for maximum growth.
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Common Aspen Trees In Maine – Sources
The Regional Gardening team makes sure that the information in our articles is accurate by only using sources that are known to be trustworthy. Some of these sources are peer-reviewed journals from government agencies, well-known universities, and scientific research organizations.
- Forest Trees of Maine, Maine Department Of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry
- Identify Maine’s Common Foliage Trees, Maine Foilage
- Plants for the Maine Landscape, University Of Maine Cooperative Extension.
- Gardening to Conserve Maine’s Native Landscape, University Of Maine Cooperative Extension
