Aspen, Upright European or Swedish
Populus tremula 'Erecta'
Salicaceae - Willow

Description

Leaves: Simple; alternate; round to broadly ovate; 1-1/2" to 3" long and wide; deciduous; margin with rounded teeth; acute apex; glabrous; dark green above, waxy and lighter colored below, turning bright yellow in fall; petiole 1-1/2" to 3" long, flattened laterally, causing leaf to flutter in the wind.

Twigs/buds: Twigs slender; glabrous; green at first, turing brown; held strongly upright. Buds similar to quaking aspen.

Flowers/fruit: Dioecious; 'Erecta' is said to be seedless (male). Similar to quaking aspen.

Bark: Smooth; white to cream colored.

Wood: No information available; presumably similar to quaking aspen.

General: Native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa; not Utah. Very shade intolerant. May be insect and/or disease prone, especially when stressed. Sucker (sprout) growth can be a problem.

Landscape Use: Not very commonly planted in Utah; a better choice than Lombardy poplar when a narrow canopyed tree is desired, since it is less disease-prone. I have seen this planted on a parking strip in Salt Lake City doing well and not suffering the way quaking aspen would be in the same setting, with no signs of sucker sprouts. However, I have read that it does sprout. Tolerant of a wide variety of soil and environmental conditions, though avoid extreme heat. 'Erecta' will get 30' to 60' tall but stays very narrow (less than 10' wide). Zones 2-6.

Cultivar: 'Pendula', 'Pyramidalis', 'Tower'.

Characteristics

General

Family Salicaceae - Willow
Cultivar Availability Yes
Hardiness Zone 2-7
Type Broadleaf
Utah Native No

Growth

Growth Rate Medium
Mature Height High
Longevity Medium
Is Good Under Power Lines No
Crown Shapes Columnar

Ornamental

Bark Yes
Fall Color Yes
Flowers No
Foliage Yes
Fruit No

Tolerance

Shade Low
Salt High
Drought Medium
Poor Drainage Medium
Alkalinity High
Transplanting High