Description
“Bigtooth aspen is a native, short-lived, dioecious, medium-sized
deciduous tree with a straight trunk and gently ascending branches. It
is distinguished from quaking aspen by slightly larger leaves and large
irregular teeth on the leaf edges. The fruit is a two-valved capsule.
Bigtooth aspen is a rapidly growing tree. At maturity, it attains
heights of 60 to 80 feet (18-24 m) and diameters at breast height of 8
to 10 inches (20-25 cm). Stands begin to deteriorate after 50 to 70
years on good sites, but individuals may live as long as 100 years.
Bigtooth aspen is a clonal species. Clones resemble small groves
consisting of many individual stems.
The roots of bigtooth aspen are shallow and wide spreading; the lateral
root spread of a tree in a forest may be 33 to 66 feet (10-20 m).
Generally, four to five lateral roots originate from the tree and then
branch within 2 feet (0.6 m). Vertical, penetrating roots near the base
anchor the tree.
The bark of young trees is smooth, but after three or more decades, it becomes rough and develops grooves.”
Climate Change Atlas for Populus grandidentata: no change
Bigtooth aspen is a narrowly distributed (6.1% of area), sparse, and low IV species fairly common across the northern tier of the eastern US, and its medium reliable model suggests a ‘No change’ in habitat. Adaptability is moderate, and the overall capability rating is fair. SHIFT reports this to be a good infill species.