Bigtooth Aspen
Populus grandidentata
The bigtooth aspen is closely related to the Eastern cottonwood. It is often found in moist, fertile soil, such as you find along the Jones Falls. It lives a short life, perhaps 50 years.
The interesting wedge-shaped leaves have large, blunt teeth, hence the Latin name grandidentata. The flowers are referred to as catkins, which appear before the tree has its leaves. Please note that bigtooth aspens are dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female trees.
The fruit are tiny cottony seeds, like what you find on Eastern cottonwoods. When the seeds of both trees fall in spring, they carpet the ground, looking like freshly fallen snow.
This tree ID sign was sponsored by the Baltimore County Forestry Board,
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