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Smith, R.W.
Populus grandidentata Michx.
Bigtooth aspen, Big-tooth aspen, Long-toothed aspen
Salicaceae (Willow Family)
USDA Symbol: POGR4
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Big-tooth aspen is a columnar tree 50-75 ft. tall. Toothed leaves are cottony-white on the lower surface, especially when the tree is young. The slender trunk’s whitish bark, becomes furrowed at base and darker gray with age. Silvery catkins appear before leaves. Deciduous foliage becomes golden-yellow in fall.
Easily distinguishable from Quaking Aspen by the large curved teeth of leaf edges, mentioned in both common and scientific names. Like that species, Bigtooth Aspen is a pioneer tree after fires and logging and on abandoned fields, short-lived and replaced by conifers. The foliage, twig buds, and bark are consumed by wildlife.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Green
Size Class: 72-100 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , Green , BrownBloom Time: Apr
Distribution
USA: CT , DC , DE , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , NC , ND , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: BC , MB , NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: N.S. to s.w. Ont. & s.e. Man., s. to w. NC, TN & extreme n.e. MO
Native Habitat: Mesic, mixed woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Mesic, rich soils.
Conditions Comments: This fast-growing tree is very intolerant of shade and flooding. It invades cleared areas and reproduces rapidly from seed and root suckers. It is short-lived and plagued by disease and insect problems, but is practically indifferent to soil conditions. In any soil, weeding around the tree can boost its growth surprisingly. Aspen can be grown in a clump by periodically removing the older, damaged stems, allowing new sprouts to fill in.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Aspens are host to a wide array of birds, mammals, and butterflies.Use Other: Large-toothed aspen is important for revegetating recently cut or burned land, holding soil in place and protecting other slower-growing species of plants. (Kershaw)
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Viceroy
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Populus grandidentata is a larval host and/or nectar source for:|
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)  Larval Host |
Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)  Larval Host |
Propagation
Description: Fresh seed germinates readily when placed on a saturated seed bed. Aspens, however, are best established from root cuttings set directly into their permanent locations. Trees can also be started from small sprouts lifted in the dormant season from distuSeed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Populus grandidentata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Populus grandidentata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Populus grandidentata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2012-10-20Research By: TWC Staff
