How to Landscape a Grove of Aspen

Dig a 3- to 4-inch hole in the area where you want to plant an aspen grove to conduct a soil pH test. Aspen trees prefer an acidic soil pH range between 3.8 to 5.5. Growing aspen trees outside of their preferred range results in a grove of malnourished aspen trees. Collect 1/2 cup of soil from the bottom of the hole. Mail 1/2 cup of soil to you local cooperative extension office for a soil test, which generally takes three to four weeks before the results are ready. Apply lime for soils under a pH level of 3.8 or spread sulfur for soil with a pH level over 5.5.

Walk over to the north or east side of the house to plan the aspen grove. Horticulturalists recommend growing aspen trees on the northern areas of a landscape. Measure the length and width of the preposed aspen grove. Mature aspen trees grow up to 50 feet in height and a spread of 25 feet. Each planting site must have enough space to accommodate a mature tree. Press stakes where you want to plant the aspen trees.

Dig a hole that is twice the size of the aspen's root ball and at the same depth as the tree is planted in its container. Place the aspen tree inside of the hole and pack soil around the base. Spread a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch from 3 inches from the base to outside the dripline. The dripline is the area that is just outside of the outermost branches. Move on to the next planting hole.

Choose a shade-tolerant grass to plant underneath the aspen grove. Gardeners may choose such grass types as zoysia, St. Augustine, fescue or Kentucky bluegrass in their shaded landscape. Install sod or plant grass seeds in the early spring or fall months. Planting grass during the heat of the summer kills young seedlings or sod.

Remove any weeds from the landscape. Diseases and insects that infest aspen trees breed and live in weed growth. To kill weeds, press a shovel or spade next to the base of the weed and at a depth of 6 inches. Push the weed through the soil to remove its root system. Gardeners should not use herbicides around aspen seedlings. Tree seedlings are sensitive to herbicide use.