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The Trembling Aspen (also known as the Quaking Aspen) bares many similarities to the Largetooth Aspen. The two trees usually grow in the same locations, in a wide variety of habitats (although intolerant of shade), and on all sorts of soils. The Trembling Aspen leaves are of similar shape but lack the larger serrated edges and size of the Largetooth. Its fruits ripens 4 to 6 weeks in the form of flask-shaped capsule which split into 2 parts when mature, releasing about 10 seeds.
It’s called Trembling as the slightest breeze causes the leaves to flutter, making them "tremble" and rattle. The upper surfaces of the leaves are dark green, undersurfaces paler, turning bright yellow in the fall. In young trees, the bark is smooth and is greenish-white; in mature trees, the bark is darker and rougher. These trees are rapid-growing but short-lived, reaching heights of up to 30 metres, diameters of 40 cm, and ages of up to 80 years.
Trembling Aspen is an important timber tree in Canada. Its wood is light, soft and weak, and used to produce boxes, pulp, matches and pallets. Grouse eat the buds in winter and spring. Rabbits, Moose, Deer and Beaver eat the twigs, tender bark and foliage, and Porcupines feed on the bark and wood.
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