American aspen, Quaking aspen, Trembling aspen, Golden aspen
Populus tremuloides
Family: Salicaceae
What it is like
A tree which loses its leaves. It grows 25-30 m high. The bark is yellow. It is light and smooth but becomes rough and dark grey at the base of the tree. Young branches are reddish-brown. They are smooth and easily broken. The buds are sticky. The leaves are finely toothed. They are alternate and rounded or heart shaped and pointed. The leaf stalk is long and flattened at the side.
There are about 35 Populus species. This is the staple food for beavers in Canada.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It does best in light friable soil. It will grow in many soil types especially on sandy and gravelly slopes. It grows from sea level to 3,000 m altitude in the southern USA. It suits hardiness zones 1-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Alaska, Australia, Canada, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The sap of the tree is eaten. The cambium or soft inner bark is used as food. It is eaten in spring when the sap begins to flow. It is baked into cakes. The wood is used for smoking fish to impart flavour. The bitter leaf buds and young catkins are edible.
Edible parts
Bark, sap
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from cuttings which root easily.
It is fast growing.
Its other names
Local names
Alamillo, Choupo, Sinabi