Trembling Aspen vs Black Locust - TreeTime.ca

Trembling Aspen vs Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia

Populus tremuloides

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Black Locust
Trembling Aspen

Black Locust is an attractive tree. Its distinctive leaves are made of about a dozen bright green leaflets. It also notable for its fragrant white flowers, which smell of citrus.

Black Locust can grow in many situations, but prefers dry areas with lots of sun. It is robust and is an excellent choice for establishing shade in dry, open areas.

Important note: Much of the Black Locust is toxic to humans and livestock, including seeds, bark, and leaves.

Trembling Aspen is a hardy, fast-growing tree. It is known for its unique "trembling" leaf movement and beautiful bark that whitens with age.

This native shade tree tolerates a range of growing conditions and requires little maintenance.

Black Locust Quick Facts

Trembling Aspen Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 1a
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: high
Maintenance: medium


Fall colour: brilliant yellow
Bark: dark reddish brown to balck with furrows
Flowers: Creamy white flowers in a pyramidal shape bloom in may-june
Seeds: dark brown peapod-like pods
Seeds: fluff
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Other Names: false acacia, yellow locust
Other Names: american aspen, golden aspen, mountain aspen, quaking aspen, quiver leaf aspen, trembling poplar, white poplar