Order: Salicales
Family: Salicaceae
Genus: Populus
Species: P. grandidentata
Identifying Characteristics:
-Native, short-lived, dioecious, medium-sized deciduous tree with a straight trunk and gently ascending branches.
- Fruit a two-valved capsule
- Bigtooth aspen has 19 pairs of chromosomes (2n=38).
- Height at maturity 60'-80' with diameters of 8'-10'; grows rapidly.
- Age: Stands begin to deteriorate after 50-70 years on good sites, but individuals may live as long as 100 years
- Roots shallow and wide spreading; lateral root spread in a forest may be 33'-66'. Generally, four to five lateral roots originate from the tree and then branch within 2'; vertical, penetrating roots near the base anchor the tree.
- Bark of young trees smooth; after 30 years rough with grooves.
-Distinguished from Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) by having slightly larger leaves with large irregular teeth on the leaf edges. Quaking Aspen has finely toothed leaf edges.
Special Adaptations:
- Most commonly floodplains, gently rolling terrain, and the lower slopes of uplands. Large stands grow on sands, loamy sands, and light sandy loams. Lower soil pH limit of 4.0.
- Tolerates drier conditions than Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides). However, for good growth on upland sites the watertable must be at least 2', but not more than 5', below the surface.
- Soil must be moist but well aerated for good growth
- Very shade intolerant; most shaded stems die.
- Commonly occurs in areas that frequently burn, such as large upland areas distant from water and upwind of natural fire breaks such as lakes.