Escapees September-October 2023

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The Amazing Aspens Your travels around the country may take you past forests that include aspen trees. Often called “quaking” or “shaking” aspens, or “quakies,” the slightest breeze makes aspen leaves quiver. A spens are North America’s most widely-dis tributed deciduous tree. It is most prevalent in Utah and Colorado, but they are also scattered throughout the western states. Although a large group or forest of aspens may seem to have many trees, here’s a surprise: the grove or forest you see is actually just one plant with all the roots connected! Nature never stands still. Sometimes, a devastating wild fi re destroys conifer trees in an area. However, if aspens once lived in that same area, their roots will survive the fi re and eventually sprout new trees. Even aspen roots from an adjacent area may work their way into the land affected by the fi re. The aspen will grow over the next 10 to 20 years, eventually reaching a height that gives ample shade to the forest fl oor. Shade is critical to the process of sprouting and growing conifer seeds. In another fi ve to 10 years, the aspens will be 30 to 40 feet high and will reach full height in another 70 years or so, when the aspen grove is 90 to 100 years old. In the shade of the aspens, the conifers will also be growing and often reach a height equal to or higher than the aspens. That causes a competition for light and moisture between the two types of trees, but the aspens will lose the battle when they are about 150 years old. By then, wild fi res may come again and continue the cycle with the destruction of the conifers and the re-growth of the aspens. Whatever the season, aspens are beautiful. Their white bark is strikingly bright, with a black layer under neath. Dark black spots, often shaped similar to an eye with an arched eyebrow over it, appear here and there along the trunk. Some Native American Indian lore says that those aspen “eyes” keep watch over the tribe members as they rest and sleep. In autumn, the green aspen leaves turn vivid orange and yellow. Aspens and conifers are keys for the growth and re-growth of many North American forests, and they’re also a treat for us to see, too! Article and photos by Dr. Stephenie Slahor, Guest contributor

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September/October 2023 ESCAPEES Magazine