2 Native Aspen Trees In Ohio (Photos & Identification)
Have you ever thought about the aspen trees that grace the landscapes of Ohio and its neighboring states? You might have wondered if there are different kinds of aspen trees in the state.
Ohio is home to two native species of aspen trees, and I’m going to give you a full guide to everything you need to know about them. Each tree is provided with high quality photos and detailed description, including physician traits, habitat, and natural range.
Without any more fluff, let’s explore the world of aspen trees in Ohio.
1. Quaking Aspen
- Common Name: Quaking Aspen, Trembling Aspen
- Scientific Name: Populus tremuloides
- Mature Height: 40-70 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Catkins
- Uses: Wood for furniture, pulpwood, and fuel
One of the most commonly seen aspen trees in Ohio, Quaking Aspen, commonly known as Trembling Aspen or Popple, is a tall and slender tree in the Willow family. This tree can reach a height of 40-70 feet and has a straight and thin trunk with no main side branches and a circular crown. These leaves turn golden yellow in the fall, making it a beautiful sight to watch.
Quaking Aspen leaves are simple, roughly spherical, 1-3 inches long, and alternately connected, with a small sharp apex, fine-toothed edge, and bright green above and dull green below. The leafstalk is flattened, and the bark is dark gray to brown in hue, with strongly furrowed lower, greenish-white to cream upper, and smooth below.
Quaking Aspen trees bloom in the spring before the leaves bud and produce catkin-like flowers that are 1-2 inches long. They grow fruits that are made up of numerous tiny green capsules that are 18 inches long and open to release seeds. These seeds are linked to a white cottony substance that allows them to float in the breeze.
This tree is endemic to North America and can live for 60 to 80 years. Quaking Aspen thrives in the sun and grows in wet or dry, sandy or rocky soils. It is known to grow in pure stands and has the widest spread of any tree species in North America.
Quaking Aspen is also notable for its ability to regrow from its roots after being chopped or toppled. The majority of Quaking Aspen trees reproduce by sucking out their roots, resulting in clone trees. One stand in Utah is the world’s largest single living organism, covering 106 acres and containing over 47,000 trunks. Furthermore, this tree has been found to withstand lab temperatures as low as -314°F.
2. Bigtooth Aspen
- Common Name: Bigtooth Aspen
- Scientific Name: Populus grandidentata
- Mature Height: 50-70 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Catkins
- Uses: Wood for furniture, pulpwood, and fuel
Bigtooth Aspen is a lovely tree that may be found throughout the United States. This tree is well-known for its brilliant golden fall color and leaves with 30-34 huge saw-like blunt teeth.
This tree’s leaves are basic, oval to triangular, and up to 6 inches long. They have a waxy coating and a long flattened leafstalk as long as the leaf itself.
Bigtooth Aspen is a medium-sized tree with a single trunk and a spherical, uneven crown, the Bigtooth Aspen. It may grow up to 70 feet tall and prefers moist soils and direct sunlight.
This tree also has catkins that are 4-5 inches long. It produces catkin-like fruit made up of many tiny narrow capsules. These capsules split apart into two halves, releasing cottony seeds. Male and female flowers grow on different plants. This indicates that there are male and female trees, each of which produces a distinct variety of blossoms.
Bigtooth Aspen is a short-lived tree that grows quickly. It is frequently used to create furniture, pulpwood, and fuel. Every 3-5 years, this tree produces a large number of seeds. Its huge leaves catch the smallest breezes and rustle in the same manner that the Quaking Aspen does.
Common Aspen Trees In Ohio – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This section contains all the common questions on the internet related to native aspen trees in Ohio.
Are there aspen trees in Ohio?
There are aspen trees in Ohio. In fact, the state is native to two types of aspen trees, Quaking Aspen and Bigtooth Aspen. These trees can be found throughout the state.
Are poplar trees and aspen trees in Ohio the same?
Poplar trees and aspen trees in Ohio are not the same, but they are closely related. Both are members of the Populus family and have similar characteristics. In fact, aspen trees are actually a type of poplar tree.
The term “aspen” refers to certain species of poplar trees with distinct growth habits, such as the trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and the bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata). The trembling leaves and white bark of these aspen trees are distinctive. While both poplar and aspen trees can be found in Ohio, it’s important to note that not all poplar trees are aspen trees. Poplars are a broader group of species with different growth patterns and characteristics than the aspen species found in Ohio.
What are the uses of aspen trees in Ohio?
Aspen trees in Ohio serve multiple purposes. Because of their light weight and ease of workability, they are ideal for furniture, cabinetry, and interior trim. They are also a valuable source of wood fiber for the paper and pulp industries, providing material for a variety of paper products. As a biomass fuel source, aspen trees contribute to renewable energy. They aid in erosion control due to their extensive root systems, especially on slopes and near water bodies.
Aspen trees also provide wildlife habitat, shade, and landscaping appeal, and their vibrant fall foliage enhances the visual beauty of gardens and parks.
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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.
- Trees Of Ohio, Division Of Wildlife
- Trees Of Ohio Field Guide, Book by Stan Tekiela
- Ohio Trees, OSU Extension Publications
- Native Plant Lists, Ohio Department Of Natural Resources
- Ohio Department Of Agriculture
- Gardening, The Ohio State University
