Aspen (populus tremens) won't grow

[spandit]

When I selected the species for my new woodland, amongst the order was quite a bit of aspen (populus tremula) as I was told it wasn't fussy about soil, being a pioneer species'n'all. It purported to be fast growing.

 

However, hardly any of them have put on any significant growth yet, unlike all the other species. In fairness, the specimens I received were pretty spindly (much like the spindle, which isn't growing so well either!) but all the same, I'm disappointed. Was I misled or is aspen fussier than advertised?

[Eddy_t]

It prefers wetter ground, being a poplar

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[spandit]

It prefers wetter ground, being a poplar

 

 

Trust me, lack of water isn't an issue - that was another reason for selecting them. The alder and cherry are doing pretty well

[woodyguy]

Like you I planted over 100 species in my wood this winter. I've had similar success to you in your other posts. I've planted aspen as well which is doing nothing. White, black, grey, and various hybrid poplars are growing fast. So I'm just being patient. Interestingly I've got about 500 trees potted up in my garden for other places and these include aspen in controlled potted conditions which aren't growing yet either.

So I'd chill and expect them to catch up later!

[spandit]

Watching trees grow is not great for someone with little patience... I'll give them more time, then - just worried they'll be swamped by weeds when other trees have shaded out the base of the tube to an extent

[woodyguy]

Patience can be difficult! The best for me was the wild service trees that put on 12 inches of growth in April alone - amazing trees. I suspect though that Aspen being a prolific pioneer species is well able to hold its own.