- Characteristics
-
Details
Aspen is medium-sized, fast-growing native deciduous tree, with a wide distribution over Europe, Asia and Africa. A very distinctive tree, with leaves that shimmer and tremble in the slightest breeze, so that they are constantly moving and rustling. The leaves turn a rich golden yellow in autumn, and the young leaves are bronze in spring, making it attractive at all seasons. It is one of our most important trees for wildlife, supporting a wide range of insects, including the endangered Aspen Hoverfly. It suckers in the wild.
Site and soil
Aspen will grow well on all soils except very thin chalk, and thrives on exposed hillsides. It is very tolerant of long severe winters and short, cool summers.
Height and spread
Below are the approximate stages of growth, assuming sited in suitable conditions for this species;
After 10 years: 8m x 4m
After 20 years: 12m x 6mLeaf and bark
The rounded leaves have flattened stalks which cause them to flutter and tremble in the slightest breeze. They turn a luminous golden yellow before leaf fall, making it one of the best trees for autumn colour; the emerging young leaves are bronze. The bark is grey, or greenish-grey, sometimes pitted with diamond-shaped lenticels.
Flower, seed and fruit
Female catkins are green, whilst males are red and green, both around 12cm long and produced in February before the leaves open. Aspen is dioecious, the male and female flowers being on separate trees. The catkins shed woolly seed in May which is distributed by the wind.
Uses
A beautiful specimen tree with year-round interest in parks, gardens and woodland. An excellent wildlife plant. The highly absorbent wood is used for matches and for animal bedding.
Wildlife
Aspen is an important tree for wildlife, supporting a large number of insect and butterfly species on both the living tree and rotting wood. It is a pioneer species in re-establishing woodland, and its ability to cope with harsh conditions makes it very valuable environmentally. Deer feed on the leaves.
- Plant Protection
-
The main reasons for buying protection is to protect the plants against:
- Pests
- Spraying
- Strimming
Pests
When it comes to deciding what protection to choose the golden rule is to choose the product dependent on which pest you are protecting against. The below will help you in deciding what height of protection you will need.
Vole, Mice
20cmRabbit
60cmHare
75cmRoe Deer/Muntjac
1.20mFallow Deer
1.50mPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.
Vole, Mice
20cmVole Guard
20cmNone required Pest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Rabbit
60cmSpiral Guard
60cm x 38mm, 60cm x 50mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsTubex Easywrap
60cm x 50-65mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsMesh Guard with Spray Shield
60cm x 130mm2 x Bamboo Canes
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsTubex Fruitwrap
60cm x 65-80mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsTubex Ecostart
60cm x 57-73cmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Tree Shelter
60cm x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube
60cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube
60cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Shrub Shelter
60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 144-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Shrub Shelterguard Mesh Tube
60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube for Shrubs
60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Hare
75cmTubex Easywrap
75cm x 50-65mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbsSpiral Guard
75cm x 50mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbsTubex Fruitwrap
75cm x 65-80mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbsTubex Ecostart
75cm x 57-73mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Tree Shelter
75cm x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Combitube
75cm x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube
90cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube
75cm x 80-110mm, 90cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Shrub Shelter
75cm x 130-160mm, 75cm x 144-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Roe Deer/Muntjac
1.20mTubex Tree Shelter
1.20m x 73-105mm, 1.20m x 80-120mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmTubex Combitube
1.20m x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube
1.20m x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube
1.20m x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmGalvanised Mesh Tree Guard
1.20m x 300mmMachine Rounded Tree Stake
1.20m x 50mm, 1.50m x 50mmPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest Fallow Deer
1.50mTubex Tree Shelter
1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmTubex Combitube
1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube
1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube
1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmGalvanised Mesh Tree Guard
1.80m x 300mm, 1.80m x 600mmMachine Rounded Tree Stake
1.80m x 60mmSpraying
Tubex tree shelters offer the benefit of not only protecting against animal damage, they also ensure that herbicides do not come into contact with the plants during spraying.
The main reason for spraying is weed control, however, there are other options available to suppress weeds, such as weed control matting.
Strimming
Young plants should be protected from damage caused when strimming. To protect plants solely for strimming, our strimmer guards are the ideal product.
- Planting & Care
-
Aftercare
As a specimen tree, Aspen is not normally pruned, but any remedial shaping should be carried out in winter.