Prairie Gold is giving quaking aspen a better name. Landscapers have shied away from aspens, which have a reputation for being short lived and prone to canker, leaf spot and borers. Prairie Gold, however, has proven its resistance to these problems while thriving in heat and humidity.

The original tree was found growing in a pasture in East Central Nebraska, an area not hospitable to most aspens. Subsequent trials have shown Prairie Gold's adaptability stretches to a much wider range.

"We've trialed it in Kansas, Iowa, Colorado, Missouri and Oregon, as well as locations where aspen aren't thought of as an option, including Georgia and Oklahoma," said Todd Faller, Prairie Gold Nursery president. "It's a tree that can be planted much farther south than its native range."

Recognized traits

This year, Prairie Gold aspen was among the GreatPlants releases, a joint effort spearheaded by Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and Nebraska Nursery & Landscape Association. The program recognizes plants especially suited for the eastern and western Great Plains regions.

Gardeners are sure to be pleased with Prairie Gold's rapid growth, as well as its disease resistance. The tree gains 3-5 feet in a year, eventually reaching 35-40 feet tall and 20-30 feet wide. Prairie Gold's other winning attributes include cream-colored bark and dark-green leaves that turn yellow in fall.

Faller said Prairie Gold can tolerate a variety of soils, from heavier clay to a gravel/sand mixture. It can withstand dry conditions for extended periods and generally doesn't require fertilization once established in the landscape.

Since aspens spread by suckers, Prairie Gold works best planted in a confined bed surrounded by turfgrass.

Production pointers

Prairie Gold Nursery propagates trees through tissue culture and offers 51-plug trays as well as liners grown in No. 1 and 3 Rootmaker pots.

"In production they do well in pots, grow bags or field planted," Faller said. "Summer pruning of the terminal doesn't appear to help flush a re-growth with multiple branches, but works fairly well with laterals."

Prairie Gold carries a royalty fee, with a portion of proceeds going to the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.

-- Sarah Martinez

SPECIFICS:
Name: Populus tremuloides Prairie Gold ('NE Arb')
Common name: Prairie Gold aspen.
Family: Salicaceae.
Description: Disease-resistant tree with cream-colored bark and dark-green foliage turning yellow in fall.
Propagation: Tissue culture or root cuttings.
Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zone 4.
Uses: Best planted in confined beds surrounded by turfgrass to prevent suckers.
For more: Prairie Gold Nursery, (402) 362-2714; www.prairiegoldnursery.com.

Send this article to a friend

Enter your e-mail address:


Enter your friend's e-mail address:


Click the image below to send:

© 2007 Branch-Smith Publishing