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Populus tremuloides
  • American Aspen

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
  • Pioneer
    Pioneer
    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
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 1
    Zone 1
    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 tremuloides has 0 edible uses listed
Populus tremuloides has 0 material uses listed
Populus tremuloides has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Inner bark - raw or cooked[1]. It can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a flour[2][3][4][5][1]. This is normally mixed with other flours for making bread etc and can also be used as a thickener in soups. It is best used in the spring[6].

Sap - can be tapped and used as a drink[3][7][4]. It has also been used as a flavouring with wild strawberries[1].

Catkins - raw or cooked. Bitter[6].

Flowers

Unknown use

Inner bark

Unknown use

Sap

Unknown use

Material uses

A fast-growing tree, it rapidly invades bare areas such as logged woodland and soon establishes dense stands of young trees by sending up suckers[8][9]. It provides excellent conditions for other species of trees to become established and these will eventually out-compete the poplar[9].

The bark has been used to make hats[1]. The bark has sometimes been used for cordage[1].

Wood - soft, light, weak, close-grained, rather woolly in texture, without smell or taste, of low flammability, not durable, very resistant to abrasion[10][2][11][8][9]. It weighs 25lb per cubic foot[12]. Not strong enough for furniture or construction, it is occasionally used for fences, railings and barn doors, is excellent for cheap crates and boxes and is widely used for pulp, producing a high quality paper[10][2][11][8][9].

Unknown part

Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

American aspen has a long history of herbal use. It was widely employed medicinally by many native North American Indian tribes who valued it especially for its antiseptic and analgesic qualities, using it in the treatment of wounds, skin complaints and respiratory disorders[1]. It is used for the same purposes in modern herbalism.

The stem bark is anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, nervine and stimulant[13][2][14][5][15]. The bark contains salicylates, from which the proprietary medicine aspirin is derived[15]. It is used internally in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, gout, lower back pains, urinary complaints, digestive and liver disorders, debility, anorexia, also to reduce fevers and relieve the pain of menstrual cramps[15]. Externally, the bark is used to treat chilblains, haemorrhoids, infected wounds and sprains[15]. The bark is harvested from side branches or coppiced trees and dried for later use[15]. An infusion of the inner bark is considered to be a remedy for coughs[5] and an appetite stimulant, it is also used in the treatment of stomach pains, urinary ailments, VD, worms, colds and fevers[16]. The root is poulticed and applied to cuts and wounds[16]. A tea from the root bark is used as a treatment for excessive menstrual bleeding[16].

The leaf buds are used as a salve for colds, coughs and irritated nostrils[16].

Unknown part

Alterative
Anodyne
Antiinflammatory
Astringent
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Febrifuge
Nervine
Poultice
Salve
Stimulant

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Pioneer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - must be sown as soon as it is ripe in spring[17]. Poplar seed has an extremely short period of viability and needs to be sown within a few days of ripening[18]. 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 cold 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[10].

Cuttings of mature wood in November/December in a sheltered outdoor bed. This species is rather difficult from cuttings[10][17]. Suckers in early spring[19]. Root cuttings in the winter[18].

Layering[18].

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



Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it does well in a heavy cold damp soil[20]. Prefers a deep rich well-drained circumneutral soil, growing best in the south and east of Britain[10][18]. Growth is much less on wet soils, on poor acid soils and on thin dry soils[10]. This species is often found on dry soils in its native habitat and could possibly succeed on dry soils in cultivation[K]. Unlike most members of the genus, this species is drought tolerant once it is established[8]. It is fairly wind tolerant, though it does not do well in exposed upland sites[10]. It dislikes shade and is intolerant of root or branch competition[18].

A fast-growing species that is quite short-lived, though occasional specimens live to almost 200 years[9]. 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[10]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[18].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Populus tremuloides. 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 tremuloides.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Populus tremuloides
Genus
Populus
Family
Salicaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Medicinal uses
[1][13][2][14][5][15][16]
Material uses & Functions
[8][9][1][10][2][11][12]
Botanic
[10][21][18]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Pioneer
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
1
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
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
20 x 10 meters
Fertility
self sterile
Pollinators
Wind
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
dioecious

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"image:Populus tremuloides 8163.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Populus tremuloides 8163.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Populus tremuloides 8163.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Populus tremuloides 8163.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Populus tremuloides 8163.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Populus tremuloides 8163.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Populus tremuloides 8163.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Populus tremuloides 8163.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Populus tremuloides 8163.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Populus tremuloides 8163.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Populus tremuloides 8163.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Populus tremuloides 8163.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Populus tremuloides 8163.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.61.71.8 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.6 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.2 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.2 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
  7. ? 7.07.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.4 Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. ISBN 0889025649 (1989-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.5 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.510.610.710.810.9 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.2 ? Encyclopaedia Britannica. 15th edition. ()
  12. ? 12.012.1 Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. ISBN 0-486-22642-5 (1970-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.1 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
  15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.415.5 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.116.216.316.4 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
  17. ? 17.017.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
  18. ? 18.018.118.218.318.418.518.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  19. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  20. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  21. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-43

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Facts about "Populus tremuloides"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familySalicaceae +
Belongs to genusPopulus +
Functions asPioneer +
Has binomial namePopulus tremuloides +
Has common nameAmerican Aspen +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partFlowers +, Inner bark + and Sap +
Has edible useUnknown use +
Has environmental toleranceDrought +
Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Wind +
Has flowers of typeDioecious +
Has growth rateVigorous +
Has hardiness zone1 +
Has imagePopulus tremuloides 8163.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useWood +
Has mature height20 +
Has mature width10 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAlterative +, Anodyne +, Antiinflammatory +, Astringent +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Febrifuge +, Nervine +, Poultice +, Salve + and Stimulant +
Has primary imagePopulus tremuloides 8163.jpg +
Has search namepopulus tremuloides + and american aspen +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy namePopulus tremuloides +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
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 +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
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