Gardening Plant Encyclopedia Tree Aspen Tree By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Instagram Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on September 22, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Dancers in the garden, aspens are popular choices for fast-growing windbreaks, screens, and mass plantings. Their oval leaves flutter in the slightest breeze. These extremely cold-hardy trees can gain almost 5 feet in height per year. Avoid problems with their invasive roots and suckering by selecting species and varieties that won't run rampant. Enjoy the best fall color with the quaking aspen. The trees have a preference for moist, well-drained soil but they adapt to almost any soil. Aspen Tree Overview Description Dancers in the garden, aspens are popular choices for fast-growing windbreaks, screens, and mass plantings. Their oval leaves flutter in the slightest breeze. These extremely cold-hardy trees can gain almost 5 feet in height per year. Avoid problems with their invasive roots and suckering by selecting species and varieties that won't run rampant. Enjoy the best fall color with the quaking aspen. The trees have a preference for moist, well-drained soil but they adapt to almost any soil. Genus Name Populus tremuloides Common Name Aspen Tree Plant Type Tree Light Sun Height 20 to 20 feet Width null to 30 feet Season Features Colorful Fall Foliage Special Features Attracts Birds, Low Maintenance Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Propagation Seed, Stem Cuttings Problem Solvers Drought Tolerant, Good For Privacy, Slope/Erosion Control Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit