ASPEN

Plant Name: Quaking Aspen
Scientific Name: Populus tremuloides — Quaking Aspen, Trembling Aspen
Mature Height: 30–40 ft
Mature Spread: 15–25 ft
Growth Rate: Fast (2–3 ft/year under favorable conditions)
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Water: High; 3–5 gal per watering while establishing, 2–3 times/week during hot, dry weather; 5–10 gal per watering once established, adjusting for soil moisture and rainfall
Foliage: Rounded to heart-shaped green leaves with finely toothed edges and flattened stems that make leaves flutter in the breeze; deciduous
Fall Color: Brilliant golden yellow to orange
Flower Color: Inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers
Bloom Time: Spring (May–June)
Fruit: Small capsules containing cottony seeds
Hardiness Zones: 1–7 (−60°F to 10°F)
Features: White bark; shimmering foliage; brilliant fall color; cold hardy; can spread by root suckers to form colonies
Additional Facts: Quaking Aspen is native to Arizona’s higher elevations and grows naturally in moist mountain forests and meadows. The University of Arizona lists a typical local size of approximately 40 ft tall × 15 ft wide. It needs consistent moisture and may struggle in hot, dry, low-elevation landscapes.