Aspen, or poplar shivering - high foliferous tree from family Willow which is widespread across all territory of Russia. Beyond its limits the aspen can be met in Europe, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, Korea.
Exterior of aspen
The aspen is allocated by columnar trunk which can reach in length of 35 m, and in the diameter - 1 m. Pyramidal and pendent kroner have the decorative forms. Characteristic sign of this tree is smooth bark of light green or light gray color. Closer to roots with age it darkens and cracks. Wood at aspen has white color with small greenish shade. In night-time, bark of aspen can be mixed with birch though if to touch it, differences from birch bark become noticeable. Bark at birch differs in roughness.
In winter time, because of lack of foliage, the aspen can be confused with poplar. It is possible to distinguish them, perhaps, only on location. So, in forests usually the poplar does not meet, and in the city, on the contrary, the aspen seldom grows. More reliable difference are kidneys. The poplar has them longer.
In summertime the aspen can be recognized surely on leaves. They at it rounded or rhombic shape with uneven vyemchaty edges, 3-7 cm long. At coppice escapes the leaves, as a rule, have the big sizes: their length reaches 15 cm. At the same time they have almost heart-shaped form. Zhilkovaniye at aspen leaves plumose. They smooth on both sides, however from external have dark green color, and from lower - light-gray-green. With arrival of fall the foliage is painted in various tone - from golden to crimson. Arrangement of branches and leaves at aspen next. It is remarkable that leaflets on this tree disturbingly shiver even at the slightest breeze. To all fault their special building. Aspen leaves have long scapes which splusnuta, at the same time in the middle they are thinner. Meanwhile, there is phraseological unit "to shake like an aspen leaf" which means "to shiver with fear". The aspen is diclinous plant. Its ordinary-looking flowers, small, are collected in the hanging-down earrings. Flowers on men's tree have reddish color and length to 15 cm. Women's earrings greenish and are a little thinner. The aspen blossoms before blooming of leaves.
Where the aspen grows
The aspen well feels on different soils. It grows in forest-steppe and forest zones. It can be seen in forests, on coast of the rivers, edges, occasionally on cuttings and dry sands, on swamps, ravines and in mountains. Often it forms aspen forests and is part of the mixed wood in the company with deciduous and coniferous breeds. Usually near aspen it is possible to see pine, larch, birch, alder. The aspen is capable to endure wildfire as its roots are located deeply underground.