Quick answer: Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is native to 39 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. It's typically seed, verified 15 Sep 2026.
Photo: Famartin, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun, Part Shade, Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | High water, Dry-Wet |
| Soil | Igneous, limestone-based, sandy, sandy loam, medium loam, caliche, shallow rocky soils |
| Bloom | Bloom Mar-Jun |
| Height | 35-50 ft, up to 100 ft |
| Wildlife value | Host to birds/mammals/butterflies, larval host for Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Viceroy, browse for deer/elk/moose/beavers |
Buying it
Sold true to the wild species as of the last check (15 Sep 2026), via Amazon.
Sold as: Seed via Amazon · listing verified 15 Sep 2026
See where to buy →Quick answers about Quaking aspen
Where is Quaking aspen native?
Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is native to 39 states across the Northeast, Midwest, South and West. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Quaking aspen bloom?
Quaking aspen blooms Mar-Jun. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Quaking aspen need?
Light: Sun, Part Shade, Shade. Water: High water, Dry-Wet. Soil: Igneous, limestone-based, sandy, sandy loam, medium loam, caliche, shallow rocky soils. Mature height: 35-50 ft, up to 100 ft.
Is Quaking aspen good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Host to birds/mammals/butterflies, larval host for Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Viceroy, browse for deer/elk/moose/beavers.
Is Quaking aspen deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Quaking aspen is drought-tolerant, tolerates shade and handles wet soil.
Where can I buy real Quaking aspen seed or plants?
We found a listing sold as seed that names the true species, last checked 15 Sep 2026. Look for the scientific name Populus tremuloides on any listing.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Quaking aspen.
- Green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica
- Eastern cottonwood Populus deltoides
- Bur oak Quercus macrocarpa
- Chokecherry Prunus virginiana
- Common winterberry Ilex verticillata
- Northern spicebush Lindera benzoin
Also listed under
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