Grove of Quaking Aspen in Colorado (Wikimedia username: Tewy, September 2, 2006)

Scientific name: Populus tremuloides

The Quaking aspen is also known by some other names such as trembling aspen, golden aspen, mountain aspen, trembling poplar, white poplar, and popple, which is common in Vermont.

The name “quaking” aspen comes from the fact that the leaves tremble and move with very little wind. The leaves move in this way because the petiole (or stem of the leaf) is flattened.

These trees are more common in the western part of the United States and are also more appreciated in the west.

Quaking aspens are beautiful trees, but they are not a part of UVM’s campus as of now. I would very much like to see these trees here in the future because they are amazing!