Only rarely do sapsuckers breed in pure aspen stands.
Sapsuckers also associate with only aspen of a reasonable size.
We have never encountered sapsuckers among the smaller aspens present on the south-facing slopes of the foothills. These aspens typically are parasitized by a fungus that hollows the inside of the trees, providing an inner cavity for nesting. Sapsuckers usually excavate a new nest each year, sometimes in the same tree. Hence, it is not uncommon to find trees with many holes . Most nest holes are located between 1.5 m and 7 m above the ground.