This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Populus tremula
  • Aspen Poplar

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Populus genus in the family Salicaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Windbreak
    Windbreak
    There are no details available for this function.
  • Soil conditioner
    Soil conditioner
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementshigh
    High
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 2
    Zone 2
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Populus tremula has 0 edible uses listed
Populus tremula has 0 material uses listed
Populus tremula has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Inner bark - dried, ground into a powder then added to flour and used for making bread etc[1][2]. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails[3].

Inner bark

Unknown use

Material uses

A very fast growing and wind resistant tree, it can be planted to provide a shelterbelt[4][5]. Trees can also be planted to improve heavy clay soils in neglected woodlands[6]. Wood - very soft, elastic, easily split, rather woolly in texture, without smell or taste, of low flammability, not durable, very resistant to abrasion. It makes a high quality paper and is also used to make a very good charcoal11, 21, 46, 100, 115].

Unknown part

Charcoal
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The bark and the leaves are mildly diuretic, expectorant and stimulant[7][8]. The plant is seldom used medicinally, but is sometimes included in propriety medicines for chronic prostate and bladder disorders[7].

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the bark of most, if not all members of the genus contain salicin, a glycoside that probably decomposes into salicylic acid (aspirin) in the body[9][10]. The bark is therefore anodyne, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge. It is used especially in treating rheumatism and fevers, and also to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps[10].

The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Vague fears of unknown origin', 'Anxiety' and 'Apprehension'[11].

Unknown part

Anodyne
Antiinflammatory
Bach
Diuretic
Expectorant
Febrifuge
Stimulant

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Windbreak


Soil conditioner

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - must be sown as soon as it is ripe in spring[12]. Poplar seed has an extremely short period of viability and needs to be sown within a few days of ripening[6]. Surface sow or just lightly cover the seed in trays in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the old frame. If sufficient growth is made, it might be possible to plant them out in late summer into their permanent positions, otherwise keep them in the cold frame until the following late spring and then plant them out. Most poplar species hybridize freely with each other, so the seed may not come true unless it is collected from the wild in areas with no other poplar species growing[4].

Cuttings of mature wood in November/December in a sheltered outdoor bed. This species is rather difficult from cuttings[4][12]. Suckers in early spring[13].

Root cuttings in the winter[6].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Populus tremula. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

A very easily grown plant, it does well in a heavy cold damp soil[14], preferring a neutral to acid soil, and avoiding calcareous soils[4][5]. The sub-species P. tremula davidiana. (Dode.)Schneid. is tolerant of extremely alkaline soils[6]. The species generally prefers a deep rich well-drained circumneutral soil, growing best in the south and east of Britain[4][6]. Growth is much less on wet soils, on poor acid soils and on thin dry soils[4]. This species grows well on poor soils, probably because of its intolerance of competition[15]. Plants are very tolerant of exposure[5], doing well in cold exposed sites so long as sufficient moisture is present. Plants dislike shade[15], and are intolerant of root or branch competition[6].

A fast growing tree but it is short-lived[15]. Trees produce suckers freely and can form dense thickets[15]. The aspen is a very good wildlife plant, it has over 90 associated insect species[5] and is a food plant for the green hairstreak butterfly[15]. Poplars have very extensive and aggressive root systems that can invade and damage drainage systems. Especially when grown on clay soils, they should not be planted within 12 metres of buildings since the root system can damage the building's foundations by drying out the soil[4]. Can be planted to improve heavy clay soils in neglected woodlands[6].

Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Populus tremula. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Populus tremula.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Populus tremula
Genus
Populus
Family
Salicaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3]
Medicinal uses
[7][8][9][10][11]
Material uses & Functions
[4][5][6]
Botanic
[4][16][6]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Windbreak, Soil conditioner
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
2
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Canopy
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
deciduous
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
vigorous
Mature Size
18 x 10 meters
Fertility
self sterile
Pollinators
Wind
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
dioecious

"image:Illustration Populus tremula0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Populus tremula0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Populus tremula0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Illustration Populus tremula0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Populus tremula0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Illustration Populus tremula0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Illustration Populus tremula0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Illustration Populus tremula0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Populus tremula0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Populus tremula0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Populus tremula0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Populus tremula0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Populus tremula0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Illustration Populus tremula0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Illustration Populus tremula0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.1 Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
  3. ? 3.03.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.74.8 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden. ()
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.66.76.8 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.2 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
  9. ? 9.09.1 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.2 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Chancellor. P. M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies C. W. Daniel Co. Ltd. ISBN 85207 002 0 (1985-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
  13. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  14. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.4 Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold (1979-00-00)
  16. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

"image:Illustration Populus tremula0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Populus_tremula&oldid=79646"
Facts about "Populus tremula"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familySalicaceae +
Belongs to genusPopulus +
Functions asWindbreak + and Soil conditioner +
Has binomial namePopulus tremula +
Has common nameAspen Poplar +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partInner bark +
Has edible useUnknown use +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind +
Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Wind +
Has flowers of typeDioecious +
Has growth rateVigorous +
Has hardiness zone2 +
Has imageIllustration Populus tremula0.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useCharcoal + and Wood +
Has mature height18 +
Has mature width10 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAnodyne +, Antiinflammatory +, Bach +, Diuretic +, Expectorant +, Febrifuge + and Stimulant +
Has primary imageIllustration Populus tremula0.jpg +
Has search namepopulus tremula + and aspen poplar +
Has shade toleranceLight shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid + and Neutral +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy namePopulus tremula +
Has water requirementshigh +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Populus tremula +, Populus tremula +, Populus tremula +, Populus tremula +, Populus tremula +, Populus tremula +, Populus tremula +, Populus tremula +, Populus tremula + and Populus tremula +