Columnar Swedish Aspen
Populus tremula 'Erecta'
Height: 50 feet
Spread: 10 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 2
Other Names: European Aspen
Description:
A tall upright spire-like tree, used primarily as a sharp vertical accent or in a row as a very tall screen; fast growing, far more disease resistant than the standard Lombardy poplar; bold and formal in a landscape setting, effective when well used
Ornamental Features
Columnar Swedish Aspen is primarily valued in the landscape for its rigidly columnar form. It has forest green deciduous foliage. The serrated oval leaves turn yellow in fall. The furrowed gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.
Landscape Attributes
Columnar Swedish Aspen is a deciduous tree with a strong central leader and a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Columnar Swedish Aspen is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Vertical Accent
- Hedges/Screening
Planting & Growing
Columnar Swedish Aspen will grow to be about 50 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 5 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.
This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is an amazingly adaptable plant, tolerating both dry conditions and even some standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in both summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.
