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QUAKING ASPEN (Populus tremuloides)
BIGTOOTH ASPEN (Populus grandidentata)
WHITE POPLAR (Populus alba)
Other names: aspen, popple, poplar, quaker.

POOR

Quaking aspen is found throughout the western states, Great Lakes region, northeastern states and interior Alaska. It is the most wide-spread of the populus genera. Bigtooth aspen is a tree of the Great Lakes and northeastern states. White poplar is an imported tree that has "gone wild" in many parts of the country and, when young, looks very similar to the aspens. All of these trees are short lived, soft, and decay rapidly when dead'. The normal life span does not exceed 100 years. Aspen usually grows in dense stands and often reproduces as "suckers" from the roots of the parent tree. The bark on all but the largest trees is smooth. The aspen are used for pulpwood in the Great Lakes region. 

When bark scribed the original bearing trees have been found in good condition. When blazed decay soon destroys the tree. In dry conditions the blaze may harden before disease attacks. Dead trees are often held up by the densely growing neighbors and thus be well preserved for considerable time. Once in contact with the ground the wood rapidly decays and there is little chance of recovery. The aspen often leaves a distinct stump hole. Stool growth may also be a clue to the original tree position.

If aspen must be used for a bearing tree select the healthiest, more dominant tree, 6" to 8" diameter, bark scribe with larger than normal letters, to avoid tearing the bark. Bark scribing may be done with the sharp point of a pocket knife, cut into the bark without removing any of the bark as with the normal scribe. This leaves a thin line and when healed does not flake off. Release from dense stands. Do. not use large aspen as they are usually near maturity. Paint the scribing.