Aspen trees (Populus tremuloides) are a beautiful and striking addition to your backyard with their yellow bark and "quivering" leaves. Growing young aspen is cheap and easy if you use root grafts to propagate the tree, but you can also buy young aspen grown from seed. If you are interested in aspen, read on for information on when to plant aspen and how to plant aspen.
Planting a Young Aspen
The easiest way to start young aspen trees is to propagate the plants by root cuttings. Aspens do all the work for you, producing tiny plants from their roots. To "harvest" these plants, you cut the roots, dig them up, and transplant them.
Aspens also propagate by seed, although this is a more laborious process. If you are able to grow the plants or buy some, transplanting aspen seedlings will be similar to transplanting rootstock plants.
When to Plant Aspen Saplings
If you are planting young aspen, you will need to know when to plant aspen. The best time is spring after the chance of frost has passed. If you live in a warm area with a zone hardiness greater than Zone 7, you should plant aspen in early spring.
Planting aspen seedlings in the spring gives the youngsters plenty of time to establish a healthy root system. It will need a functioning root system to make it through the hot summer months.
How to Plant Aspen Saplings
First, choose a good site for your young tree. Keep it 10 feet (3 meters) away from your home's foundation, sewer/water pipes, and other trees.
When you plant a young poplar, you will need to place the tree in a full sunny location, either direct sun or partial sun. Remove weeds and brushwood within 3 feet (1 meter) of the tree. Divide the soil 15 inches (38 cm) below the planting site. Amend the soil with compost. Add sand to the mix if drainage is poor.
Dig a hole in the soil worked for the seed or the plant's root ball. Place the young poplar in the hole and fill in around it with the excavated soil. Firm the dirt around it and give it plenty of water. You will need to keep watering the young aspen throughout the entire first growing season. As the tree matures, it will need to be watered during dry spells, especially in hot weather.
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