Eurasian Aspen

How to grow Eurasian Aspen

Written by the GardenDecoded editorial team · Last reviewed 21 July 2026 · Written for UK gardens · How we research our guidance

Planting

Plant bare-root in winter, well away from buildings and drains — poplar roots are vigorous and can affect foundations on shrinkable clay. It suckers freely and will form a thicket, which is useful in a wild planting and a nuisance in a border.

Pruning

Little needed. Remove dead wood in late summer. Suckers will need pulling or mowing off regularly if you want to keep the tree as a single stem.

Propagation

Suckers can be lifted with roots attached in winter, which is much easier than growing it from the very short-lived seed.

Pests and diseases

Poplar rust causes orange pustules on the undersides of leaves and early leaf fall. Various leaf beetles feed on it without serious consequence.

Value to wildlife

Supports a good range of invertebrates, including several moth species, and the early catkins provide pollen well before most trees are out.

Notes

The flattened leaf stalks make the foliage tremble in the lightest breeze, which is the reason to plant it — the sound and movement are the point. It is fast-growing, short-lived and best given room in an informal setting.

This guidance was researched and written by GardenDecoded — see our editorial policy for how guides are checked and reviewed.

Other names for this plant

These names have all been used for Populus tremula but are no longer the accepted name. You may still meet them on old labels, in books, or in nursery catalogues.

Others in Populus