{"product_id":"prairie-gold-aspen","title":"Prairie Gold Aspen","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Tougher, Cleaner Native Aspen for Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrairie Gold Aspen (\u003cem\u003ePopulus tremuloides\u003c\/em\u003e 'NE Arb') is a University of Nebraska improvement on Minnesota's native quaking aspen, selected for stronger disease resistance, better drought tolerance, and a dependable single-trunk form — solving the two biggest complaints about wild aspen. You still get the signature fluttering leaves and brilliant golden fall color, but on a cleaner, healthier, more landscape-worthy tree. Whether you're planting fast shade in Maple Grove, adding native shimmer to a Woodbury yard, or filling out a new lot in Lakeville, Prairie Gold Aspen brings the Northwoods home with far less fuss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePrairie Gold 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 'NE Arb' (Prairie Gold)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrairie Gold Aspen, Improved Quaking Aspen, Trembling Aspen\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–45 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–25 feet\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. More drought-tolerant than wild aspen once established, but appreciates consistent moisture.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–6 (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 — thrives through Minnesota's coldest winters\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\u003eImproved 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\u003ePrairie Gold Aspen Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFast, Healthy Native Shade\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrairie Gold was bred to resist the leaf diseases and cankers that plague wild aspen, so it stays cleaner and more attractive for longer. Combined with 2–3 feet of annual growth, that makes it an ideal fast-shade tree for a new yard in Blaine or Lakeville where you want height in a hurry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNorthwoods Character with a Dependable Form\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelected for a reliable single trunk, Prairie Gold gives you the classic aspen look — shimmering leaves, pale bark, golden fall color — in a structured, tree-form shape that suits a front yard or boulevard far better than a multi-stem wild clump.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNative and Wildlife Plantings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an improved native quaking aspen, Prairie Gold supports the same native food web — catkins, buds, and foliage feed pollinators, songbirds, and wildlife. It's a strong choice for naturalized areas, woodland edges, and Lawns to Legumes-style native plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Prairie Gold 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 Prairie Gold 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 12–15 feet apart for an informal grouping.\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 Prairie Gold 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 Prairie Gold Aspen is more drought-tolerant than the wild species but still grows best with occasional deep watering 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 Prairie Gold Aspen survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Easily. Quaking aspen is native across Minnesota and hardy to -40°F, so this selection sails through our coldest winters. Just protect the young trunk from rabbits and deer the first couple of seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it better than regular quaking aspen?\u003c\/strong\u003e Prairie Gold was selected for improved disease resistance, better drought tolerance, and a dependable single trunk — the three things that make wild aspen frustrating in a home landscape. You get the beauty without as many of the headaches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does it grow here?\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast for Minnesota — about 2–3 feet per year, reaching 30–45 feet at maturity. 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 an improved selection of \u003cem\u003ePopulus tremuloides\u003c\/em\u003e, the quaking aspen native throughout Minnesota, so it offers native wildlife value with better landscape performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer Shimmer Aspen\u003c\/strong\u003e — another improved native aspen with better foliage retention and reduced suckering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuaking Aspen\u003c\/strong\u003e — the classic Minnesota native species for naturalized woodland plantings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrairie Dream Birch\u003c\/strong\u003e — a fast-growing native with iconic white bark and golden fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAutumn Gold Ginkgo\u003c\/strong\u003e — a tough, seedless shade tree with brilliant golden fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Prairie Gold Aspen Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAspen look most natural in groups — plant 3 or 5 trees spaced 12–15 feet apart for an informal grove that shimmers together in the breeze. A single tree works as a fast-shade specimen with 15–20 feet of clearance. For a naturalized screen along a property line, run a loose staggered row at 12-foot spacing — about 8–9 trees per 100 feet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePrairie Gold Aspen Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Silvery catkins emerge before the leaves — an early-season food source for wildlife — followed by fresh, pale-green foliage that starts trembling with the first breeze.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e The signature show: rounded leaves fluttering and rustling in every breath of wind, casting light, dancing shade while the tree adds 2–3 feet of height.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brilliant, glowing golden-yellow — the iconic Northwoods color — holding for weeks against the pale bark.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smooth, pale greenish-white bark stands out handsomely against snow; wrap young trunks against rabbit and deer browsing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/summer-shimmer-aspen\"\u003eSummer Shimmer Aspen\u003c\/a\u003e — a sibling improved aspen to vary a grove planting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/quaking-aspen\"\u003eQuaking Aspen\u003c\/a\u003e — the wild native species for the naturalized back of the lot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-dream-birch\"\u003ePrairie Dream Birch\u003c\/a\u003e — white bark and gold fall color for the classic Northwoods pairing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/autumn-gold-ginkgo\"\u003eAutumn Gold Ginkgo\u003c\/a\u003e — a long-lived gold-fall companion that takes over as the aspens age out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Prairie Gold Aspen Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose it if you want fast native height, that unmistakable fluttering-leaf shimmer, and blazing gold fall color on a cleaner, better-behaved tree than wild aspen — ideal for new lots, groves, and naturalized edges in full sun. It's not a fit if you want a permanent, century-class shade tree or a root-shy spot near septic lines and patios; aspens are quick pioneer trees with vigorous roots and a shorter lifespan than oaks or maples.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"1.75\"BB","offer_id":54260820738353,"sku":"GT-T3200.9","price":370.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2\"BB","offer_id":54260820771121,"sku":"GT-T3201","price":411.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2.5\"BB","offer_id":54260820803889,"sku":"GT-T3201.5","price":480.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/prairie-gold-aspen.jpg?v=1779426700","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/prairie-gold-aspen","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}