Aspen

Aspen (Populus tremula)

Aspen trees are found in woodlands, wet woodlands and on heathland. They are a very distinctive tree as their leaves flutter in the breeze giving the effect of the tree ‘trembling’. This is where the latin name for the tree came from. The underside of the leaves is a lighter colour so when the breeze flows through the tree the effect is quite mesmerising to watch.

Identifying an Aspen tree is reasonably straight forward. Leaves are round with irregular teeth. Their distinct fluttering which makes this tree so identifiable, appears to move waves of colour through the foliage. Leaves will turn yellow in autumn before falling to the ground. Aspens grow catkins in order to reproduce. Male catkins are brown and turn yellow when ripe. Female catkins start out green before turning into the trees fruits. Once the female catkins have been pollinated through the wind, they will release fluffy seeds. The Aspen tree also has a trick up its sleeve. It doesn’t solely rely on the wind to produce new plants. It is also capable to cloning itself through the roots.

There are many wildlife species that rely on the Aspen. Some species like the Aspen Hoverfly lay larvae under the rotting bark of the aspen tree. Pallisade sawfly larvae will eat the leaves of the aspen tree. These insects then form food for predators such as birds, such as the woodpecker. The aspen tree hosts a range of insect life, like the two examples mentioned above. As this tree becomes rarer due to deforestation it becomes difficult for the foodchain to continue. It’s not just small insects that enjoy this tree. Deer and beavers feast on this species, sometimes to the extent of destroying any Aspen growth. Conservation programmes, particularly in Scotland, are endeavouring to help the Aspen increase in numbers. Use of tree guards for new planting has reduced the damage done by deer grazing. We hope that these initiatives will continue to succeed so that Aspen can be a more dominant species in future.

Fun Fact: A stand of Aspen trees is classed as a single organism. In Utah there is a stand of Aspen that has 40, 000 trunk and is estimated to weigh over 6000 tonnes!