colonial1637 (off & on)
The Living Organism
Aspens typically grow in large clonal colonies derived from a single seedling, and spread by means of root suckers; new stems in the colony may appear 100-130 feet (~30–40 meters) from the parent tree. Many biologists don't refer to Aspen as individual trees or even groves (groups of trees) but each group is thought of as a single organism with all trunks (stems) sharing a common root system.
Each individual tree can live for 40–150 years above ground, but the root system is long-lived. In some cases, they survive for thousands of years, sending up new sprouts 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, nicknamed "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 3 to 4 feet (~1 meter) each year and eventually covering many acres.
Aspens are able to survive forest fires since the roots are below the heat of the fire, with new sprouts growing quickly after the fire burns out. The wood of aspen is soft and spongy. Aspen is a model of recycling efficiency; fallen autumn leaves are usually gone within a year and fallen trunks usually disappear without a trace in four to five years.
The Living Organism
Aspens typically grow in large clonal colonies derived from a single seedling, and spread by means of root suckers; new stems in the colony may appear 100-130 feet (~30–40 meters) from the parent tree. Many biologists don't refer to Aspen as individual trees or even groves (groups of trees) but each group is thought of as a single organism with all trunks (stems) sharing a common root system.
Each individual tree can live for 40–150 years above ground, but the root system is long-lived. In some cases, they survive for thousands of years, sending up new sprouts 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, nicknamed "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 3 to 4 feet (~1 meter) each year and eventually covering many acres.
Aspens are able to survive forest fires since the roots are below the heat of the fire, with new sprouts growing quickly after the fire burns out. The wood of aspen is soft and spongy. Aspen is a model of recycling efficiency; fallen autumn leaves are usually gone within a year and fallen trunks usually disappear without a trace in four to five years.