Big-tooth Aspen (Populus grandidentata)
As a Keystone Plant, Big-tooth Aspen ( and other Populus species) is the host plant to the Viceroy, Red-Spotted Purple, Mourning Cloak, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, and 362 other butterfly and moth caterpillars in our area (nwf.org)! It is also beneficial for the threatened Canadian giant moth (mnfi.anr.msu.edu/). The Ruffed Grouse and Greater Prairie Chicken feed on the buds and catkins and the buds are also eaten by the Purple Finch, Fox Squirrel, and Red Squirrel. As this tree becomes older, it often forms cavities that are used as nesting habitat by the Red-Breasted Nuthatch, owls, and woodpeckers, while other birds nest along its branches (illinoiswildflower.info).
Photo credit: Superior National Forest (1), John Blair (2-5)
As a Keystone Plant, Big-tooth Aspen ( and other Populus species) is the host plant to the Viceroy, Red-Spotted Purple, Mourning Cloak, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, and 362 other butterfly and moth caterpillars in our area (nwf.org)! It is also beneficial for the threatened Canadian giant moth (mnfi.anr.msu.edu/). The Ruffed Grouse and Greater Prairie Chicken feed on the buds and catkins and the buds are also eaten by the Purple Finch, Fox Squirrel, and Red Squirrel. As this tree becomes older, it often forms cavities that are used as nesting habitat by the Red-Breasted Nuthatch, owls, and woodpeckers, while other birds nest along its branches (illinoiswildflower.info).
Photo credit: Superior National Forest (1), John Blair (2-5)
As a Keystone Plant, Big-tooth Aspen ( and other Populus species) is the host plant to the Viceroy, Red-Spotted Purple, Mourning Cloak, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, and 362 other butterfly and moth caterpillars in our area (nwf.org)! It is also beneficial for the threatened Canadian giant moth (mnfi.anr.msu.edu/). The Ruffed Grouse and Greater Prairie Chicken feed on the buds and catkins and the buds are also eaten by the Purple Finch, Fox Squirrel, and Red Squirrel. As this tree becomes older, it often forms cavities that are used as nesting habitat by the Red-Breasted Nuthatch, owls, and woodpeckers, while other birds nest along its branches (illinoiswildflower.info).
Photo credit: Superior National Forest (1), John Blair (2-5)
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial (Preference is full sun, but tolerates part shade)
Soil Moisture: Medium-Wet, Medium
Height: 50-80 feet
Plant Spacing: 20-40 feet
Bloom Time: April-May
Bloom Color:
Advantages: Fast Growing, Caterpillar Favorite, Bird Favorite
Host Plant: Question Mark, Green Comma, Morning Cloak, Red-Spotted Purple, Viceroy, and 362 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org)
Beneficial for Endangered or Threatened Species: Canadian giant moth (Andropolia contacta) (mnfi.anr.msu.edu/)
