Swedish Aspen vs Russian Olive - TreeTime.ca

Swedish Aspen vs Russian Olive

Populus tremula Erecta

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Swedish Aspen
Russian Olive

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.

Russian Olive is a medium-sized deciduous tree that has attractive silvery coloured foliage with small yellow flowers that emit a fragrant sweet smell.

It is drought and salt tolerant, and works well as a shelterbelt species. Russian Olive can also be used to combat erosion.

Note: although Russian Olive is planted as an attractive boulevard tree in many northern areas, in warmer areas it can invade watersheds and is considered invasive. Please do some research and plant the right tree in the right place.

Swedish Aspen Quick Facts

Russian Olive Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $3.19 - SAVE UP TO 73%
Lowest Price: $4.49 - SAVE UP TO 25%
Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 15 m (49 ft)
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: soft reddish rust
Flowers: yellow
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


In row spacing: 1.8 - 2.4 m (6 - 8 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)


Other Names: eurasian aspen, european aspen, swedish columnar aspen
Other Names: silver berry oleaster, wild olive