Comments on: The Struggle of Beauty

By: Laurent

Laurent — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:04:07 +0000

Interesting notes on the existence/survival of aspens. Seems its a balance game. Beautiful image, Guy.

By: M S

M S — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:06:22 +0000

Maybe next year will be better for the Aspens; I just know here in northern Utah they have been ok and some prosper in smaller groups. Although, I do believe Patrick has some good points about the Aspen trees.

By: Patrick Smith

Patrick Smith — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:59:24 +0000

The thing about Aspens is that they need open land free of conifers to thrive. One plant can have thousands of stems covering dozens of acres. If there is a fire or the forest is cut down, the roots will produce new trees. The roots need a disturbance and sunlight hitting the ground. Once the pines become taller than the aspens, the Aspens die and the root system goes dormant (sometimes for hundreds of years) until the conifers suffer some catastrophe like a fire. Then the Aspens come back to life. I don’t know for sure because I’ve never been to the rockies, but I bet that forest conservation of pines may lead to Aspen die-offs in addition to that fungus! But Aspen roots are built for survival and can resprout new trees when they ‘feel’ sunlight on the ground.

Still, this is little consolation when the Aspens are no longer visible, existing merely as roots waiting for the right moment!

Patrick

By: Guy Tal

Guy Tal — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:24:02 +0000

Thanks Patrick! I sure hope you’re right. Most aspens in this area have died since last year (Sudden Aspen Decline – SAD). I’ll check back on them in the spring hoping for signs of renewal.

Guy

By: Patrick Smith

Patrick Smith — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:22:27 +0000

Yes, it is sad. But from what I understand about the life cycle of aspens, these tops may die since they are short-lived anyway regardless of the fungus problem, and the rhizomes will sprout new trees after these ones die. Still, it will not be the same.

Patrick