In autumn, leaves turn bright yellow, or occasionally, orange. Ecology Aspen poplar groves provide important wildlife habitat. The bark and leaves of this tree are the favourite food of beavers, which use the branches to build their lodges and dams. Young twigs and leaves are browsed by hoofed animals such as deer, moose and elk. When other food supplies are low, these mammals will eat the bark.
Snowshoe hares eat the bark, and grouse eat the winter buds.
It regenerates quickly after fire or tree cutting by suckers from roots near the surface of the ground. Thus, aspen is an important fire-successional species in the boreal forest. Aspen matures in 60 - 80 years, and succession is often to white spruce as long as there is adequate soil moisture. Forest fire is an important element in the establishment and maintenance of aspen stands. Aspen poplar forests appear to be stable communities that dominate large areas of the landscape.