Aspen, Swedish Columnar Populus tremula 'Erecta' Height: 40 feet Spread: 15 feet
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Hardiness Zone: 2a Other Names: European Aspen Description: A tall upright spire-like tree, used primarily as a sharp vertical accent or in a row as a very tall screen; fast growing, bold and formal in a landscape setting, effective when well used Ornamental Features Aspen, Swedish Columnar is primarily valued in the landscape for its rigidly columnar form. It has forest green deciduous foliage. The serrated oval leaves turn yellow in fall. The furrowed gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape. Landscape Attributes Aspen, Swedish Columnar is a deciduous tree with a strong central leader and a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It has no significant negative characteristics. Aspen, Swedish Columnar is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Aspen, Swedish Columnar will grow to be about 40 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a high canopy of foliage that sits well above the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more. This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. This plant should be periodically fertilized throughout the active growing season with a specially-formulated acidic fertilizer. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. Flowers & Seeds Aspen can but do not regularly produce 1 1/2 inch catkins opening to cotton-like blooms early spring. No seeds. 
