Large-Tooth Aspen or Popple (Populus grandidentata)

Form

Medium to large tree; height sometimes 60 to 80 feet, diameter 10 to 20 inches; slender rather than rigid branches form narrow rounded crown; stem is usually clear of dead branches.

Bark

Smooth, gray or yellowish-green; furrowed and dark brown at base of old trees.

Leaf

Alternate, coarse-toothed; length 3 to 4 inches; dark green upper surface; leaves appear 1 to 2 weeks later than that of quaking aspen, and at first are silvery white. Buds are light gray, downy, not so sharply pointed and larger than those of quaking aspen.

Fruit

Male and female catkins are found on separate trees. The fruit is a capsule, 1/4 inch long, numerous capsules borne on catkins 4 to 6 inches long; capsules contain many seeds surrounded by long white hairs that are wind disseminated; matures in May of the first year. Main mode of regeneration is by root suckering after cutting.

Range

Found over the entire state, but prefers sandy or rich soils that are moist.

Wood

The use of aspen has increased dramatically over the past decades which has changed its status from a "weed" tree to the most highly used species in Wisconsin. It is the primary raw material source for the pulp and paper, hardboard, wafer board and oriented strand board industries. Other industries use it in the production of lumber, matchsticks, lath and shavings. The residue generated at these industries is used in the production of densified wood fuels (pellets) or burned directly as green fuel.