Trembling aspen is one of the most widely distributed tree species in North America. It grows from Alaska to Newfoundland, and south to northern Mexico. The tree often appears in pure stands and grows in many soil conditions from sea level to 3000 metres.
In northeastern British Columbia, Alberta and much of Saskatchewan, aspen is commonly found with balsam poplar and white birch. Aspen mixed with the spruces and pines form communities that dominate over half of Alberta’s forests.
Once referred as a “weed” species and a huge and hidden hardwood resource, trembling aspen, grouped together with balsam poplar constitutes 14% of Canada’s total forest inventory, and 81.3% of Alberta’s hardwood inventory.
The fact sheet describes visual, physical and working properties for this species for the wood-consuming value added sector.