Aspen

Populus tremuloides

Description

Photo taken by Calvin De Jong

Height 20-25 m

Width 20-80 cm

Leaves 4-7 cm wide and 3-7 cm long (Note young trees and root shouts have larger leaves ranging from 10-20 cm)

Catkins 4-6 cm long

Fruit 10 cm long pendulous string of cotton capsules containing small seeds

Aspen is a fast-growing deciduous tree the bark is relatively smooth with a greenish-white to gray color. The bark is marked by thick black horizontal scars and has prominent black knots.

Distribution and habitat

Aspen can be found growing across North America at elevations ranging from 460-3700 m. The aspen grows in a variety of habitats ranging from grassland borders to the open forest. Here in BC, this plant grows in the Central Interior, Southern Interior Mountains, Taiga Plains, and the northern Boreal mountains ecosystems. Aspens like a alkaline soil with a pH ranging from 7 to 9.

Elevation 1500-4000 m

Soil well-drained acidic soils

PH 7-9

Sun Full sun, partial sun

Uses & Benefits

The inner bark was used as food either enjoyed raw or roasted. Aspen bark can be used as a medicine to treat malaria and babesiosis. The inner bark contains salicin a substance similar to aspirin.

Parts used:

Bark

One can also use aspen bark to treat:

Joint pain
Prostate discomforts
Back pain
Nerve pain
Bladder problems
Fever
Scurvy

Ways to use aspen:

The inner bark (raw or cooked)
Tea
Poultice

Calvin De Jong

Content Writer/Photographer

I am a naturalist from the Okanagan. My passions are taken photos of nature and foraging all its wonders.