{"product_id":"summer-shimmer-aspen","title":"Summer Shimmer Aspen","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Native Northwoods Aspen, Reborn for Twin Cities Yards\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSummer Shimmer Aspen (\u003cem\u003ePopulus tremuloides\u003c\/em\u003e 'NE Selection') is a University of Nebraska improvement on Minnesota's beloved native quaking aspen — bred for better summer foliage retention, improved heat and drought tolerance, and far less of the aggressive root-suckering that makes wild aspen a headache in a home landscape. You still get the iconic fluttering, shimmering leaves and the brilliant golden fall color that light up the Northwoods, just in a tree that behaves itself. Whether you're planting a fast-growing screen in Maple Grove, adding native character to a Woodbury yard, or recreating that up-north feel in Eden Prairie, Summer Shimmer Aspen delivers shade and shimmer in just a few seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSummer Shimmer 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 Selection' (Summer Shimmer)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSummer Shimmer 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\u003e35–45 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–25 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\u003e3–7 (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 slightest breeze, turning 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 shade 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\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\u003eSummer Shimmer Aspen Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFast Native Shade and Screening\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFew trees fill in as quickly as aspen. At 2–3 feet of growth per year, Summer Shimmer gives a new-construction yard in Lakeville or Blaine real height and shade within just a few seasons — long before a slower oak or maple would. Space trees 12–15 feet apart for a fast, informal living screen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNorthwoods Character and Four-Season Interest\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmooth, pale greenish-white bark, leaves that tremble and shimmer at the lightest wind, and a blaze of golden-yellow fall color give Summer Shimmer the unmistakable look of a Minnesota lake cabin. It's the perfect way to bring that up-north feeling to a Twin Cities suburb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNative and Wildlife Plantings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an improvement on our native quaking aspen, Summer Shimmer supports the same native food web — its catkins, buds, and foliage feed pollinators, songbirds, and browsing wildlife. It's a great choice for naturalized areas, woodland edges, and Lawns to Legumes-style native plantings where you want fast cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Summer Shimmer 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 roots before its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFall (September–mid-October)\u003c\/strong\u003e is also a strong window. Plant at least six weeks before the ground freezes so roots can settle in. Avoid planting in the heat of mid-summer when transplant stress is highest, and never plant into frozen ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Summer Shimmer 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 from sitting in 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 screening.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch water basin around the root zone to direct water down 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 for the first couple of winters to deter rabbit and deer browsing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Summer Shimmer 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 Summer Shimmer Aspen is far more drought-tolerant than the wild species, but it 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 the rest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Summer Shimmer 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\u003eDoes it sucker like wild aspen?\u003c\/strong\u003e Far less. Wild quaking aspen spreads aggressively by root suckers; Summer Shimmer was selected for much tamer behavior, making it a realistic choice for a home yard. You may still see the occasional sucker — just mow or snip them off.\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 in good conditions, reaching 35–45 feet at maturity. Like all aspen it's a quick, pioneering tree rather than a centuries-old oak, so enjoy the fast shade and shimmer it provides.\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 manners.\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 — a narrow, upright aspen for tight spaces and slim screens.\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 — another 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 Summer Shimmer Aspen Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a fast, informal screen, space Summer Shimmer 12–15 feet on center:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRun Length\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrees at 12–15 ft Spacing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–6 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the classic Northwoods look, plant a loose grove of 3–5 at 12 feet apart — aspens always look best in company. A single specimen needs 20–25 feet of clearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSummer Shimmer Aspen Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early catkins feed emerging native pollinators before the fresh, fluttering leaves unfurl.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e The signature shimmer — rounded leaves trembling at the slightest breeze — with better foliage retention than wild aspen through hot spells.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e A blaze of golden yellow that recreates the Northwoods in a suburban yard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smooth, pale greenish-white bark glows against the snow — the up-north postcard look all winter long.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/quaking-aspen\"\u003eQuaking Aspen\u003c\/a\u003e — the wild species for naturalized corners of a larger lot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-dream-birch\"\u003ePrairie Dream Birch\u003c\/a\u003e — white bark and golden fall color to complete the Northwoods grove.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/autumn-gold-ginkgo\"\u003eAutumn Gold Ginkgo\u003c\/a\u003e — a tough, seedless companion whose gold fall color peaks alongside the aspen's.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Summer Shimmer Aspen Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant Summer Shimmer if you want fast native height, shimmering summer foliage, and golden fall color — it needs full sun, takes clay or sandy soil, and behaves far better than wild aspen. It's not a fit for tiny formal yards or right beside patios and septic lines: it's still a fast, pioneering poplar, so give it room and expect to snip the occasional sucker.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"1.75\"BB","offer_id":54260821295409,"sku":"GT-T3289.7","price":411.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2\"BB","offer_id":54260821328177,"sku":"GT-T3290","price":439.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2.5\"BB","offer_id":54260821360945,"sku":"GT-T3291","price":493.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/summer-shimmer-aspen.jpg?v=1779426697","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/summer-shimmer-aspen","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}