Aspen
Last updated by Larix813 on 3/16/2019 10:34:59 PM
Aspen spp.
Populus spp.
Known as Popple, Poplar, or Aspen, there are two species commonly found in the BWCA: Bigtooth and Quaking. They are common enough in their life styles and characteristics that I am lumping them together, though they are, in fact, different species. I have always found Quaking Aspen to be the more common of the two in the BWCA and I find Bigtooth Aspen to be a more attractive tree. In any case, both are early sucessional species adapted to grow back in thick mats after a fire. Their strategy is to grow quick and then die. As the Aspen die of old age, they are replaced with Spruce and Pine until there are only a few large, rotting Aspen left standing. Once a fire clears out the Pine, new Aspen grow back and the cycle continues.
For more information, check out the USDA profile of the species here and here.
History
Permanent Link
