quaking aspen
noun
: an aspen (Populus tremuloides) chiefly of the U.S. and Canada with small nearly circular leaves that have flattened petioles and finely serrate margins and that flutter in the slightest breeze
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As with other members of the poplar family such as quaking aspen, the part of the tree that attaches the leaf to the branch is several inches long, causing leaves to flap rapidly from side to side when the wind blows.
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Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026
At higher elevations, quaking aspens (Populus tremuloides) fill a similar role for cavity-nesting birds like woodpeckers and chickadees.
—Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 12 May 2026
Just outside of Vail Village, Vail Stables offers one- to two-hour seasonal trail rides, taking riders up steep trails, through wildflower meadows, and into forests filled with quaking aspen trees and lodgepole pines.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026
In the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, maple trees feature orange and red leaves, while quaking aspen and larch trees have yellow leaves.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 14 Oct. 2025
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Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026
At higher elevations, quaking aspens (Populus tremuloides) fill a similar role for cavity-nesting birds like woodpeckers and chickadees.
—Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 12 May 2026
Just outside of Vail Village, Vail Stables offers one- to two-hour seasonal trail rides, taking riders up steep trails, through wildflower meadows, and into forests filled with quaking aspen trees and lodgepole pines.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026
In the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, maple trees feature orange and red leaves, while quaking aspen and larch trees have yellow leaves.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quaking aspen
Cite this Entry
“Quaking aspen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quaking%20aspen. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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