Bigtooth Aspen
Populus grandidentata
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States
François André Michaux (book author), Henri-Joseph Redouté or Pancrace Bessa (illustrator), Gabriel (engraver)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Genus:
- Populus
- Species:
- Populus grandidentata
- USDA Symbol:
- POGR4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★★☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
American lappet moth (Phyllodesma americana), Angle-lined Prominent (Clostera inclusa), Colocasia propinquilinea, Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidoides), dark-headed aspen leafroller moth (Anacampsis innocuella), Dichomeris ligulella, Egira dolosa, Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria), four-spotted gluphisia (Gluphisia avimacula), Gypsonoma substitutionis, Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Hare-Lip Dagger Moth (Acronicta lepusculina), hibiscus Quaker (Orthosia hibisci), Homoglaea hircina, Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis), impressed dagger moth (Acronicta impressa), Io moth (Automeris io), Ipimorpha pleonectusa, Large aspen tortrix (Choristoneura conflictana), Lintner's gluphisia moth (Gluphisia lintneri), Meske's underwing (Catocala meskei), Norman's Quaker (Crocigrapha normani), Orthosia revicta, Pale Enargia (Enargia decolor), Phyllonorycter ontario, Phyllonorycter salicifoliella, Phyllonorycter tremuloidiella, Protitame virginalis, Raphia frater, reticulated sparganothis moth (Sparganothis reticulatana), Semioscopis inornata, simplaria prominent moth (Notodonta simplaria), Striped Clostera (Clostera strigosa), Sweetheart Underwing (Catocala amatrix), White Satin Moth (Leucoma salicis), Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), ⚠️Persius duskywing (Erynnis persius), Red-spotted Purple (Basilarchia arthemis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:common aspen leafminer (Phyllocnistis populiella), poplar petiole gall moth (Ectoedemia populella), Stigmella populetorum Butterflies:Viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, deer, beaver, ruffed grouse
- Fall Color:
- yellow, orange, red
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown and root suckers following fire. Often increases in density post-fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage preferred
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in sandy loam with organic matter
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds are short-lived and must be sown fresh. Light aids germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds germinate at 29 to 32 C
Source: npn.rngr.net