A lesson in forestry: popples and aspens

Popples and aspens are members of the Salicaceae family, which Linnaeus named for their cousin, the willows, that are in the same family.  “Salix” is the Latin name the Romans used for willow.  Salicylic acid, found in willow bark, is known for its medicinal properties.  It forms the base for acetylsalicylic acid, which is the chemical name for aspirin. 

There are four Michigan tree species of “Populus” in the willow family, and then about 18 species of willows, of which three or four grow to tree size. Two of the “Populus” species use popple or poplar as a common name: quaking aspen and bigtooth aspen. The other two Populus species are cottonwood and balsam poplar (or balm-of-Gilead or bam or others). 

As a family, the Salicaceae account for about 11% of Michigan’s forest volume.  Over 80% of the family volume consists of the aspens, or the popples. The aspens are among the most important Michigan commercial species and are highly valuable for many species of wildlife, especially the huntable species. Ruffed grouse is the poster child for aspen dependency. 

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