Western aspen forests are unique because they reproduce primarily by suckering from the parent root systems with successful sexual reproduction being extremely rare. Numerous areas throughout the West that were once dominated by aspen are in a late successional stage, and if treatment is going to be successful, something needs to be done soon. In certain areas, treatments need to be pursued with caution. Excessive animal pressure must be considered in the West.
Clones treated by burning and then repeatedly browsed usually only hasten their demise.
Treatments to induce suckering, therefore must not be initiated before relief from excessive browsing is obtained. Aspen dominated lands in the West have diminished from approximately 9.6 million acres since settlement. These aspen dominated regions not only provide socially acceptable landscapes, but they also hold values within ecosystems. Conifer Invasion of Aspen Grassland Invasion of Aspen Research from a combination of research work units have provided much information needed by natural resource managers to restore aspen communities. However, it has been difficult for managers to apply that knowledge fast enough to begin the reversing the trend in loss of aspen communities.