Family: Salicaceae, Willow view all from this family
Description Medium-sized tree with narrow, rounded crown.
Height: 30-60' (9-18 m).
Diameter: 1-1 1/2' (0.3-0.5 m).
Leaves: 2 1/2-4" (6-10 cm) long, 1 3/4-3 1/2" (4.5-9 cm) wide. Broadly ovate; short-pointed tip; rounded at base; coarse, curved teeth; with white hairs when young. Dull green above, paler beneath, turning pale yellow in autumn. Leafstalks long, slender, flattened.
Bark: greenish, smooth, thin; becoming dark brown and furrowed into flat, scaly ridges.
Twigs: brown, slender, hairy when young.
Flowers: catkins 1 1/2-2 1/2" (4-6 cm) long; brownish; male and female on separate trees; in early spring.
Fruit: 1/4" (6 mm) long; narrowly conical capsules; light green; slightly curved; finely hairy; maturing in spring and splitting into 2 parts; many tiny cottony seeds.
Habitat Sandy upland soils, also flood plains of streams, often with Quaking Aspen.
Range SE. Manitoba east to Cape Breton Island, south to Virginia, and west to NE. Missouri; local south to W. North Carolina; to 2000' (610 m), or to 3000' (914 m) in south.
Discussion Easily distinguishable from Quaking Aspen by the large curved teeth of leaf edges, mentioned in both common and scientific names. Like that species, Bigtooth Aspen is a pioneer tree after fires and logging and on abandoned fields, short-lived and replaced by conifers. The foliage, twig buds, and bark are consumed by wildlife.
