| Populus grandidentata | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Salicaceae |
| Genus: | Populus |
| Section: | Populus |
| Species: | P. grandidentata |
| Binomial name | |
| Populus grandidentata Michaux |
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Populus grandidentata — the large-tooth, or big-tooth, aspen — is a deciduous tree native to eastern North America.
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Name
The name Populus grandidentata references the coarse teeth that occur on the leaves from the Latin Populus for poplar, grandi meaning large, and dentata meaning teeth.
Description
Populus gradidentata is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to North America, found mostly in the northeastern states and southeastern Canada. Bark of young trees smooth; after 30 years rough with grooves.
Reproduction
Bigtooth aspen produce seeds from the flowers, known as catkins, that the tree produces. The product is a two-valved capsule that is distributed widely by the wind. Individuals can also reproduce through the roots; after a fire, the roots of the dead tree will begin to send up suckers, creating identical individuals and can result in a stand of clones that resemble individual stems.[1]
Growth
Bigtooth aspen are dioecious, medium-sized deciduous trees with a straight trunk and gently ascending branches. Height at maturity is around 60'-80' with diameters of 8'-10'. They are fast growers and are relatively short-lived; stands will begin to deteriorate after 60-70 years, while individuals can live up to 100 years. They often constitute early successional species of their landscapes. Roots are shallow and wide spreading; lateral root growth in a forest may be as far as 60 feet.[2] Generally, four to five lateral roots originate from the tree and then branch within 2'; vertical, penetrating roots near the base anchor the tree.
Distribution
The range of Populus grandidentata extends from Virginia north to Maine and Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia; west to southeastern Manitoba and Minnesota; south through Iowa to extreme northeastern Missouri; and east through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. Disjunct populations are found in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina.[3]
Ecology
Most commonly found on floodplains, gently rolling terrain, and the lower slopes of uplands. Soil must be moist but well aerated for good growth. Very shade intolerant; most shaded stems die. Pioneer species on disturbed sites, persisting in successional communities until senescence. Rapid height growth of suckers allows it to outcompete other sprouting species such as Red Oak (Quercus rubra) and Red Maple (Acer rubrum) on many sites. In the absence of disturbance, it is soon replaced by conifers and hardwoods.In the Great Lakes Region at the turn of the century, many mature pine forests were logged and burned. Bigtooth Aspen and Quaking Aspen frequently dominated the postdisturbance forests. Without fire or other disturbance, these forests are being replaced by later successional, shade-tolerant species. Usually grows in even-aged mixed stands, most commonly with Quaking Aspen. Codominant in both hardwood and conifer forests; does not occur as a subdominant because of its extreme shade intolerance. Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) is the predominant species in aspen stands in the Great Lakes Region, but Bigtooth Aspen dominates on the drier upland sites. Aspen stands dominated by Bigtooth Aspen are generally more open than those dominated by Quaking Aspen. More disease resistant than Quaking Aspen. The most serious disease is Hypoxylon Canker (Hypoxylon mammatum). Other rots, fungi, and root decay affect this species. A preferred host of gypsy moth. Death occurs when nearly complete defoliation by gypsy moth is followed by a fungal infection by Armillaria spp. Ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus saxesceni) attacks fire-damaged bigtooth aspen. Commonly occurs in areas that frequently burn, such as large upland areas distant from water and upwind of natural fire breaks such as lakes.
Uses
The wood is light colored, straight grained, finely textured, and soft. It is used primarily for pulp, but can be used to make particle board and structural panels. Minor uses include log homes, pallets, boxes, match splints, chopsticks, hockey stick components, and ladders. The bark is pelletized for fuel and supplemental cattle feed.
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Department of Agriculture.
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