distinguished by their nearly round leaves on mature trees, 4-12 centimeters in diameter with irregular rounded teeth. They are carried on strongly flattened leaf stems, that cause the leaves to twist and flutter in slight breezes. The juvenile leaves on young seedlings and root sprouts differ markedly from the adult leaves, being nearly triangular.
All of the aspens (including the White Poplar) typically grow in large clonal colonies derived from a single seedling, and spreading by means of root suckers; new stems in the colony may appear at up to 30–40 meters from the parent tree. Each individual tree can live for 40–150 years above ground, but the root system of the colony is long-lived. In some cases, this is for thousands of years, sending up new trunks as the older trunks die off above ground. For this reason it is considered to be an indicator of ancient woodlands. One such colony in Utah, given the nickname of "Pando", is claimed to be 80,000 years old, making it possibly the oldest living colony of aspens. Some aspen colonies become very large with time, spreading about a meter per year, eventually covering many hectares. They are able to survive forest fires, since the roots are below the heat of the fire, with new sprouts growing after the fire burns out.
Aspens and other members of the Populus genus contain salicylates, compounds related to aspirin. Leaves and leaf buds of aspens have been used to treat burns, irritations, aches, and swollen joints. Bitter tea from bark and leaves has been used to treat mild urinary tract inflammations. The Ojibwe used the inner bark of the trunk as a poultice, and the Cree ate the inner bark in the spring as a mild purgative. Aspen wood is white and soft, but fairly strong, and has low flammability. It has a number of uses, notably for making matches, where its low flammability makes it safer to use than most other woods.
Aspen Tree
Aspen Tree - April 12, 2010
Aspen Tree
Aspen Tree - April 12, 2010
Aspen Tree
Aspen Tree - April 12, 2010
Aspen Tree
Aspen Tree - April 12, 2010
Aspen Tree
Aspen Tree - April 12, 2010
Aspen Tree
Aspen Tree - November 07, 2009
Aspen Tree
Aspen Tree - November 07, 2009
Aspen Tree
Aspen Tree - November 07, 2009
Aspen Tree
Aspen Tree - November 07, 2009
Autumn Aspen Leaves
Autumn Aspen Leaves - September 24, 2009
Autumn Aspen Leaves
Autumn Aspen Leaves - September 24, 2009
Compare Species
