{"product_id":"mountain-sentinel-aspen","title":"Mountain Sentinel Aspen","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Native Aspen Narrow Enough for the Tightest Twin Cities Yards\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMountain Sentinel Aspen (\u003cem\u003ePopulus tremuloides\u003c\/em\u003e 'JFS-Column') is a J. Frank Schmidt selection of Minnesota's native quaking aspen, bred into a strikingly narrow, columnar form — just 8 to 12 feet wide at a soaring 35 to 45 feet tall. You get the same fluttering, shimmering leaves and brilliant golden fall color of the wild aspen, but in a slender vertical column that fits where a full-spread tree never could. Whether you're screening a narrow side yard in St. Paul, framing a driveway in Plymouth, or adding fast vertical height to a tight Edina lot, Mountain Sentinel Aspen brings native Northwoods character to small spaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMountain Sentinel Aspen Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribute\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePopulus tremuloides\u003c\/em\u003e 'JFS-Column' (Mountain Sentinel)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMountain Sentinel Aspen, Columnar Quaking Aspen, Trembling Aspen\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e35–45 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–12 feet — narrowly columnar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast — 2–3 feet per year in Minnesota\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours) — needs strong light for best form and fall color\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate. Appreciates consistent moisture, especially during establishment.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable. Prefers well-drained loam; tolerates Minnesota clay-loam and sandy soils.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — rounded leaves that flutter in the breeze, turning bright golden yellow in fall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F — one of the hardiest trees you can plant in Minnesota\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — deer and rabbits may browse young shoots and bark; protect trunks the first 2 winters\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColumnar selection of \u003cem\u003ePopulus tremuloides\u003c\/em\u003e, a Minnesota native species\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMountain Sentinel Aspen Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNarrow Screens and Tight Side Yards\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt just 8–12 feet wide, Mountain Sentinel slips into narrow planting strips, side yards, and property-line gaps where a normal shade tree would never fit. Plant a row 6–8 feet apart for a fast, slender living screen between homes in close-set suburbs like Richfield or St. Louis Park.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eVertical Accents and Formal Framing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tall, tight column makes a dramatic exclamation point in the landscape. Use a single tree as a corner accent, or flank a driveway or entry with a matched pair for a clean, formal frame that still flutters and shimmers with every breeze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNative Character in Small Spaces\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a selection of native quaking aspen, Mountain Sentinel brings genuine Northwoods character — shimmering leaves, pale bark, golden fall color, and wildlife value — to yards too small for the spreading wild species. It's the up-north look, scaled for the suburbs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Mountain Sentinel Aspen in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAspen are deciduous, so you have two good planting windows in the Twin Cities:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpring (late April–May)\u003c\/strong\u003e, once the ground has thawed, is excellent — the tree gets the full growing season to establish before its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFall (September–mid-October)\u003c\/strong\u003e also works well. Plant at least six weeks before the ground freezes so roots can settle in. Avoid mid-summer planting when transplant stress is highest, and never plant into frozen ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Mountain Sentinel Aspen\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — the hole should be 2–3 times the root ball width but only as deep as the ball itself. In heavy clay, dig even wider.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck drainage — if water pools in the hole, break through any clay hardpan or mound-plant slightly to keep roots out of standing water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with the native soil mixed with 20–30% compost. Don't create a pure-compost \"container\" in clay.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet the tree so the top of the root ball sits at or just above grade. Space trees 6–8 feet apart for a narrow screen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch water basin around the root zone to direct water to the roots; flatten it before winter to prevent ice damage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips, kept 2 inches away from the trunk. Wrap the lower trunk the first couple of winters to deter rabbit and deer browsing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Mountain Sentinel Aspen in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeeks 1–2: water every 1–2 days, deep and slow. Month 1–2: every 3–4 days. Month 3 through fall: every 5–7 days during active growth, less when rainfall is adequate (Minnesota averages about 3 inches per month June–August). Stop watering 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes in late October so the tree can harden off for winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished Mountain Sentinel Aspen needs supplemental water mainly during extended dry spells (2+ weeks with no rain). Water deeply and infrequently — soaking to 6–8 inches every 7–14 days during drought — and let natural rainfall do most of the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Mountain Sentinel Aspen survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Without question. Quaking aspen is native across Minnesota and hardy to -40°F, so this columnar selection handles our worst winters with ease. Just protect the young trunk from rabbits and deer the first couple of seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow wide does it really get?\u003c\/strong\u003e Just 8–12 feet — remarkably narrow for a 35–45 foot tree. That tight footprint is exactly what makes it so useful in small yards and narrow planting strips.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does it grow here?\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast for Minnesota — roughly 2–3 feet per year, so it delivers screening height in just a few seasons. Like all aspen it's a quick pioneer tree rather than a slow, centuries-old shade tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it really native?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — it's a columnar selection of \u003cem\u003ePopulus tremuloides\u003c\/em\u003e, the quaking aspen native throughout Minnesota, offering native wildlife value in a space-saving form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSwedish Columnar Aspen\u003c\/strong\u003e — another narrow, upright aspen for tight spaces and slim screens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer Shimmer Aspen\u003c\/strong\u003e — an improved native aspen with a fuller spread and reduced suckering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrinceton Sentry Ginkgo\u003c\/strong\u003e — a narrow, columnar shade tree with golden fall color for tight spaces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eParkland Pillar Birch\u003c\/strong\u003e — a slim columnar white-bark birch for narrow vertical accents.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Mountain Sentinel Aspens Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a fast, slender screen along a property line or side yard, plant Mountain Sentinel 6–8 feet apart on center:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScreen Length\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrees Needed (7-ft spacing)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e35 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–8 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e14–15 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor accents, use a single column or a matched pair flanking a driveway or entry; a grove-style cluster of 3 at 8-foot spacing gives the classic up-north aspen look in a small footprint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMountain Sentinel Aspen Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fuzzy catkins appear before the fresh green leaves unfurl — and the signature shimmer-and-flutter begins with the first breeze.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A slim green column of constantly trembling leaves that adds movement and soft sound to the yard while putting on 2–3 feet of height.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Classic aspen gold — the whole column turns brilliant yellow, one of Minnesota's most beloved fall sights.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smooth, pale gray-green bark stands out beautifully against snow on the narrow upright frame, shrugging off -40°F cold.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/swedish-columnar-aspen\"\u003eSwedish Columnar Aspen\u003c\/a\u003e — another slim upright aspen to alternate in long screens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/summer-shimmer-aspen\"\u003eSummer Shimmer Aspen\u003c\/a\u003e — an improved native aspen with fuller spread where you have more room.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/princeton-sentry-ginkgo\"\u003ePrinceton Sentry Ginkgo\u003c\/a\u003e — a narrow columnar companion with matching golden fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/parkland-pillar-birch\"\u003eParkland Pillar Birch\u003c\/a\u003e — a slim white-bark birch that pairs beautifully with aspen's pale trunks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Mountain Sentinel Aspen Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Mountain Sentinel if you need fast native height in a tight footprint — a full-sun side yard, narrow boulevard, or driveway frame where 8–12 feet of width is all you have. It's not a fit if you want a long-lived legacy shade tree: like all aspens it's a fast-living pioneer species, and young trunks need winter protection from rabbits and deer for the first couple of seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"1.75\"BB","offer_id":54260821197105,"sku":"GT-T3199.2","price":384.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2\"BB","offer_id":54260821229873,"sku":"GT-T3199.5","price":425.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2.5\"BB","offer_id":54260821262641,"sku":"GT-T3199.7","price":480.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/mountain-sentinel-aspen.jpg?v=1779426682","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/mountain-sentinel-aspen","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}