Swedish Columnar Aspen

Populus tremula 'Erecta'

Swedish Columnar Aspen is a fast-growing, narrow, upright deciduous tree, perfect for privacy screens, windbreaks, and tight spaces. It is cold-hardy (Zone 2) and will thrive in prairie climates, making it an excellent choice for Swift Current and area. Unlike some other aspens, it has minimal suckering and stronger wood, making it a low-maintenance choice for residential and commercial landscapes.

Planting & Location

• Hardiness Zone: 2-6 (ideal for Saskatchewan’s climate)
• Mature Size: 30-40 feet tall, 6-10 feet wide
• Growth Rate: Fast (2-3 feet per year)
• Sunlight Needs: Full sun (at least 6 hours per day)
• Soil Preference:
  • Prefers moist, well-draining soil, but tolerates a wide range of soils (loam, clay, sandy).
  • Can tolerate slightly alkaline or acidic soils (pH 5.5-8.0).
• Spacing:
  • 3-5 feet apart for a dense hedge or windbreak.
  • 8-10 feet apart for individual plantings.

Watering

• Young Trees (First 2-3 Years): Deep water once or twice per week to encourage root development.
• Established Trees: Drought-tolerant, but benefits from deep watering every 2-3 weeks during dry periods.
• Avoid Overwatering: Can tolerate moist soil, but standing water will cause root rot.

Fertilizing

• First Year: No fertilizer needed—focus on root establishment.
• Mature Trees:
  • Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) in early spring if growth seems slow.
  • Organic options: Compost or well-rotted manure applied as mulch.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Best Time to Prune: Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts.
• How to Prune:
  • Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches to maintain health.
  • Minimal pruning required—maintains its narrow, columnar shape naturally.
• Suckering: Minimal compared to other aspens, but remove any that appear.

Pest & Disease Management

Common Pests:

• Aphids – Can cause sticky honeydew and curled leaves.
  • Solution: Spray with insecticidal soap or encourage natural predators (ladybugs).
• Leaf Miners – Cause tunnels in leaves.
  • Solution: Generally harmless, no treatment needed.

Common Diseases:

• Cytospora Canker – Can cause branch dieback.
  • Solution: Prune out affected areas and improve tree health.
• Leaf Spot (Marssonina spp.) – Causes black spots on leaves.
  • Solution: Rake and remove infected leaves; ensure good air circulation.
• Rust (Melampsora spp.) – Yellow-orange spores on leaves.
  • Solution: Remove infected leaves and avoid overhead watering.

Winter Protection

• Young Trees: Wrap trunks with tree guards or burlap to prevent sunscald and frost cracks.
• Mulching: Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around the base to insulate roots from winter extremes.
• Deer & Rodents: Use tree guards if browsing is an issue.

Landscape Uses

Perfect for narrow spaces—ideal for small yards
Fast-growing privacy screen or windbreak
Cold-hardy and drought-resistant once established
Minimal suckering compared to other aspens
Attractive year-round—green summer foliage turns golden-yellow in fall

Additional Notes:

• Swedish Columnar Aspen is one of the best choices for creating fast privacy hedges or windbreaks due to its upright, non-spreading habit.
• It is a stronger and longer-lived alternative to columnar poplars.
• Lifespan: 20-50 years (longer than other fast-growing trees).

Photo courtesy of Foothills Nursery