Aspen.sprout Forum (2024)

FAQs

Can you transplant aspen sprouts? ›

You can also transplant an aspen sucker by digging around it to cut it from the 'mother' tree and placing the root ball you dig up in a bag and then plant as normal (should also be done in the spring).

Germination is likely to occur within a few days of sowing. If sown thinly enough, seedlings can be left in their seed tray for the first growing season and then pricked out into pots or a nursery bed the following spring.

Professional horticulturists and growers are slow to recommend aspen as a tree of choice for the Front Range. If you still must have an aspen, plant them on north or east slopes or on north or east sides of the house, in soil well amended with organic materials and mulched after planting.

If your aspen trees were improperly pruned, the tree may not be able to grow new buds, and no leaves will appear. Removing or snipping the ends of branches (known as stubbing out) removes the apical or dominant bud and stimulates the branch to grow, so several new branches take its place.

You'll want to wait until you have at least 3 or 4 true leaves before you consider transplanting. Work with your plant's weather preferences. Understanding whether you're growing cool-weather or warm-weather plants will help you determine when it's time to start thinking about growing outside.

In the same family as willows, aspen grows readily from cuttings. To get good material for these cuttings, root cuttings are first taken. In late winter or early spring, expose roots on mature trees and remove sections that are 1-3cm in diameter.

Aspen groves need fire or other disturbance to stimulate sprouting and control conifers to maintain the grove. Fire in an aspen grove in southern Utah. Photo by B. Campbell.

Some of the quickest flower seeds to germinate include Centaurea (Bachelor's Button) 7-10 days, Dianthus (Sweet William) 5-10 days, Rudbeckia (Gloriosa daisy) 5-10 days, Ageratum 6-10 days, Cosmos 5-7 days, Sweet Alyssum 8-15 days, Zinnia 5-7 days, and Mexican Marigold 5-7 days.

Aspen trees usually do not live more than 150 years, though they may persist more than 200 years. It grows on many soil types, especially sandy and gravelly slopes, and is quick to pioneer disturbed sites where there is bare soil.

As you know, aspens put out sprouts along their roots that have a stem above ground and roots below. The resulting plant is clonally produced, so it is genetically identical to the original plant. Regular mowing will keep these sprouts from growing and forming new trees.

Do aspens need a lot of water? ›

Quaking aspen trees generally require watering twice per week, particularly during dry periods or hot weather. Younger Quaking aspen trees need more frequent watering compared to mature ones. Moisture meters can ensure precision in watering, preventing both under and over-watering.

Aspens can be identified by their smooth, white bark marked by black scars where lower branches are naturally self-pruned. Quaking Aspen leaves are somewhat heart shaped, with finely saw-toothed margins and range in size from 1.25-3" (3-8 cm) long.

Plant the trees in moist, well-drained soil. The soil should be slightly acidic for the tree to thrive. Plant aspens on northern or eastern slopes, or northern or eastern sides of your house, rather than sunnier areas. They cannot tolerate drought or hot, dry soil.

In many cases, trees younger than about 50 years have survived. The severe droughts of recent years may have played a large role in triggering the widespread death of aspen trees.

Dig at least 15 inches deep for any size tree. Aspen do not have the long tap roots that evergreens have, so depth is not as important as making sure you have enough of the lateral root. Dig aspens before they leaf out in the spring or after they lose their leaves in the fall.

Occasionally the need arises to move trees within the home landscape. Follow these tips to move small, young trees successfully. Small trees, like this tree found growing as a seedling, can be successfully transplanted during the dormant season.

You can reduce the sprouting by using triclopyr herbicide (i.e. Ortho Brush-B-Gone or similar) or glyphosate (e.g. Roundup or similar).