Swedish columnar aspen (Populus tremula ‘erecta’)
Species info:
Leaves: Alternate, 1–3 inches long, broadly ovate with coarsely toothed margins. Dark green above and silvery-green beneath. Petioles are long—often as long as the leaf blade—allowing for characteristic fluttering movement in the wind.
Leaflets: N/A (simple leaves)
Leaf Surface: Smooth and glossy on the upper surface; lighter and matte underneath.
Bark: Smooth and light gray on mature wood; younger stems are dark gray to nearly black.
Flowers: Inconspicuous catkins; the cultivated form is typically male and therefore cottonless.
Fruit: Small, greenish-yellow, hard, and very grainy; not typically edible
Botanical: Populus tremula ‘erecta’
Family: Salicaceae
Mature Height: Up to 40 feet
Canopy Spread: About 10 feet
Foliage Type: Deciduous
Tree Shape: Narrow, columnar form; maintains a dense, upright habit even at maturity
Flowers: Inconspicuous
Fruit: None
Fall Color: Orange to red, depending on site and soil conditions
Water Use: Moderate to high; prefers consistent moisture
Hardiness: Zones 2–5
Soil Preference: Performs best in moderately moist, well-drained soils; tolerant of Colorado’s alkaline conditions
Wildlife Value: Provides cover for birds and small mammals; limited food value due to lack of fruit
Pests/Pathogens: More resistant to cankers than most aspens; however, highly susceptible to Bronze Leaf Disease—avoid planting where disease has been reported
Colorado Suitability: Performs well along the Front Range when given moderate irrigation and planted in groups or lines; available through Colorado nurseries; notable specimens include the State Champion in Englewood (30" DBH, 75' tall) and thriving plantings at CSU’s Plant Environmental Research Center
Planting recommendation: Conditionally recommended for the Front Range, short-lived as it is highly susceptible to pests/disease
Information Sources:
Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural InitiativesGreenview Nurseries & Tree Farms
J. Frank Schmidt and Son Company
Michael Dirr, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (University of Georgia, 1990)
Fort Collins Nursery species book, Version 2
