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Common Name: Aspen Poplar

General Information

Populus tremula is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 18.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Europe, including Britain, from Iceland south and east to N. Africa, temperate Asia to Japan.

Habitat

Found in open woodlands and scrubby heathland, usually on poorer soils where it is sometimes dominant[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	18.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A very easily grown plant, it does well in a heavy cold damp soil[], preferring a neutral to acid soil, and avoiding calcareous soils[, ]. The sub-species P. tremula davidiana. (Dode.)Schneid. is tolerant of extremely alkaline soils[]. The species generally prefers a deep rich well-drained circumneutral soil, growing best in the south and east of Britain[, ]. Growth is much less on wet soils, on poor acid soils and on thin dry soils[]. This species grows well on poor soils, probably because of its intolerance of competition[]. Plants are very tolerant of exposure[], doing well in cold exposed sites so long as sufficient moisture is present. Plants dislike shade[], and are intolerant of root or branch competition[].
A fast growing tree but it is short-lived[].
Trees produce suckers freely and can form dense thickets[].
The aspen is a very good wildlife plant, it has over 90 associated insect species[] and is a food plant for the green hairstreak butterfly[].
Poplars have very extensive and aggressive root systems that can invade and damage drainage systems. Especially when grown on clay soils, they should not be planted within 12 metres of buildings since the root system can damage the building's foundations by drying out the soil[].
Can be planted to improve heavy clay soils in neglected woodlands[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Inner bark - dried, ground into a powder then added to flour and used for making bread etc[, ]. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails[].

Medicinal

The bark and the leaves are mildly diuretic, expectorant and stimulant[, ]. The plant is seldom used medicinally, but is sometimes included in propriety medicines for chronic prostate and bladder disorders[].
Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the bark of most, if not all members of the genus contain salicin, a glycoside that probably decomposes into salicylic acid (aspirin) in the body[, ]. The bark is therefore anodyne, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge. It is used especially in treating rheumatism and fevers, and also to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps[].
The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Vague fears of unknown origin', 'Anxiety' and 'Apprehension'[].

Other Uses

A very fast growing and wind resistant tree, it can be planted to provide a shelterbelt[, ]. Trees can also be planted to improve heavy clay soils in neglected woodlands[].
Wood - very soft, elastic, easily split, rather woolly in texture, without smell or taste, of low flammability, not durable, very resistant to abrasion. It makes a high quality paper and is also used to make a very good charcoal11, , , , ].

Propagation

Seed - must be sown as soon as it is ripe in spring[]. Poplar seed has an extremely short period of viability and needs to be sown within a few days of ripening[]. Surface sow or just lightly cover the seed in trays in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the old frame. If sufficient growth is made, it might be possible to plant them out in late summer into their permanent positions, otherwise keep them in the cold frame until the following late spring and then plant them out. Most poplar species hybridize freely with each other, so the seed may not come true unless it is collected from the wild in areas with no other poplar species growing[].
Cuttings of mature wood in late autumn in a sheltered outdoor bed. This species is rather difficult from cuttings[, ].
Suckers in early spring[].
Root cuttings in the winter[].