Swedish Aspen vs Black Cottonwood - TreeTime.ca

Swedish Aspen vs Black Cottonwood

Populus tremula Erecta

Populus trichocarpa

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Swedish Aspen
Black Cottonwood

Swedish Aspen is an extremely fast growing columnar aspen tree. It's ideally suited for urban settings where space is limited such as privacy screens or along the edges of driveways. Swedish aspen produces no fluff and is less prone to suckering than tower poplar. Swedish aspen thrives in a variety of growing conditions with little maintenance or pruning.

We grow this species over a two year production method from root cuttings via the Smoky Lake Styro-Stack method (SSS method) first pioneered at Smoky Lake Forest Nursery in 2002. This method has quickly become the gold standard in the reforestation nursery industry for growing clonal aspen.

We are well known for pioneering its use worldwide and currently produce some of the highest volumes of Swedish Aspen in Canada.

Black Cottonwood is the largest and tallest of the North American poplars. Named after its white, fluffy seeds with cottony hairs, this hardy tree produces sticky, fragrant buds and has a straight growth habit. Black Cottonwood needs ample moisture and nutrients to grow successfully to full height and are found in the Western provinces and the Yukon with BC being its heartland.

Swedish Aspen Quick Facts

Black Cottonwood Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $3.49 - SAVE UP TO 71%
Zone: 2a
Zone: 4a
Height: 15 m (49 ft)
Height: 30 m (100 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium


Fall colour: soft reddish rust
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Native to: AB, BC, YT
Other Names: eurasian aspen, european aspen, swedish columnar aspen
Other Names: balsam cottonwood, california poplar, western balsam poplar