Bigtooth Aspen
Populus grandidentata
The Bigtooth Aspen is a fast growing, medium sized poplar. Its smooth bark is olive colored, with course ridges and deep furrows. As the name implies, the leaves of this Aspen display larger "teeth" along their margins. The green leaves rustle with even the slightest breeze, and turn a brilliant yellow color in the fall. Will grow on a variety of soils, but thrives best in sandy and loamy soils that are regularly moist, but well drained.
While a close cousin to the Quaking Aspen, there are some subtle differences. The Bigtooth Aspen is less shade tolerant than the Quaking Aspen; it requires full sun, and will not perform well below the canopy of other trees. The Bigtooth Aspen also has a harder bark layer, which grows thicker as it ages and makes it more disease and pest resistant than other Aspens.