Bigtooth Aspen

Latin (group) name: Populus

Latin (specific) name: Populus Grandidentata (Michaux)

Average max height: 30' to 40'

Average diameter: Up to 3'

Official state tree: none

Category: American Woods The Hardwoods - Broadleafs

Wood Research

The Tree

The Bigtooth Aspen is so similar in appearance, size and other characteristics to Quaking Aspen as to make its identification by the layman somewhat difficult. Perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic is in the larger leaf which is short-pointed, three to six inches long, coarsely toothed, in contrast to the leaf of Quaking Aspen, Bigtooth Aspen leaves are dark green on their upper surface and paler beneath as compared with the Quaking Aspen leaf which is lustrous, dark green above, and a dull, pale green beneath. This tree, like the Quaking Aspen, reproduces rapidly and quickly establishes itself in burned and cut-over areas.

Bigtooth Aspen foliage

Bigtooth Aspen tree bark

Aspen bud

Common Names in Use

• Bigtooth Aspen
• Aspen
• Large American Aspen
• Large Poplar (Tenn.)
• Large-toothed Aspen (N.Y., Pa., Del., S.C., Mich., Minn.)
• Large-toothed Poplar (N.C.)
• Popple (Me., Wis., Mich., Minn.)
• Poplar (Me., N.H., Vt., Mass., R.I., Conn., N.Y., N.J., Pa., W. Va., N.C., S.C., Ga., Ill., Ohio)
• White Poplar (Mass.)

Growth Range

The Bigtooth Aspen has a more limited range of growth than Quaking Aspen, occurring from Nova Scotia to Ontario, Southern Manitoba, and North Dakota south to North Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, and Iowa.

The Wood

The wood of the Bigtooth Aspen is similar in every respect to Quaking Aspen and distinguishing identification is difficult. It is very light or nearly white with a slightly darker grayish-white or grayish-tan heartwood. It has the characteristic of shrinking and tending to warp in the drying process. When fully seasonedit is without odor, is close-grained, weak, harder than Quaking Aspen, tough and rather stiff, with a tendency to split in nailing. It does not take stains very satisfactorily because of its rather open pores.

Uses

Bigtooth Aspen has the same uses as Quaking Aspen, the two species being harvested and marketed together. It works well with
tools, but requires careful handling in the lathe, Because of its freedom from odor, taste or staining, Aspen is very desirable for
food containers of all kinds, and is used for excelsior, paper pulp, baskets, boxes, crates, poultry and dairy containers, matches,
laundry appliances, general millwork, woodenware, toys, novelties, and athletic goods.

File References