Bigtooth Aspen
Populus grandidentata
Also known as Largetooth Aspen, Large-toothed Aspen, Big-toothed Aspen
Climate Match for your location
See how well Bigtooth Aspen grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A fast-growing deciduous tree native to eastern North America with distinctive large, coarsely toothed leaves that turn bright gold in fall. It tolerates poor soil and spreads via root suckers, making it useful for wildlife habitat and quick windbreaks.
Why grow it
Bigtooth aspen outpaces many competitors in establishing quick shade and shelter on degraded sites, particularly where soil fertility or drainage is poor. Its early leafing and rapid growth habit make it valuable for fast windbreak establishment or landscape succession, and it typically produces more consistent fall color than quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides). Where wildlife habitat diversity matters, its early catkins and seed abundance support pollinators and seed-eating birds through spring and early summer.
Watch out for
The vigorous root suckering that enables landscape recovery can become persistent in mowed or cultivated settings, requiring ongoing management if containment is desired. Bigtooth aspen is relatively short-lived for a tree (typically 40 to 60 years), so plan for eventual decline and succession rather than treating it as a permanent canopy layer.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Salicaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A fast-growing deciduous tree native to eastern North America with distinctive large, coarsely toothed leaves that turn bright gold in fall. It tolerates poor soil and spreads via root suckers, making it useful for wildlife habitat and quick windbreaks.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Bigtooth Aspen grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Bigtooth aspen outpaces many competitors in establishing quick shade and shelter on degraded sites, particularly where soil fertility or drainage is poor. Its early leafing and rapid growth habit make it valuable for fast windbreak establishment or landscape succession, and it typically produces more consistent fall color than quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides). Where wildlife habitat diversity matters, its early catkins and seed abundance support pollinators and seed-eating birds through spring and early summer.
Watch out for
The vigorous root suckering that enables landscape recovery can become persistent in mowed or cultivated settings, requiring ongoing management if containment is desired. Bigtooth aspen is relatively short-lived for a tree (typically 40 to 60 years), so plan for eventual decline and succession rather than treating it as a permanent canopy layer.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Salicaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.