The shelter of a grove protects young suckers from sun-scald damage that could kill them. Scientists don't really know how long a single aspen clone can live, but based on some examinations of fossilized aspen it is believed some of the largest clones can be a million years old or more. Aspen root systems can remain dormant for centuries , waiting for just the right conditions to break out of the ground and start forming tender young trees. Aspen are often one of the first plants to revive and revegetate after a fire. Dense conifer stands frequently shade out aspen, but the aspen roots remain healthy and alive underground until their evergreen neighbors are felled by fire or wind or man.
Sunlight then awakens the aspen's roots and triggers the growth of vertical stems, called ramets.
The picture at left is of a grove of aspen trees, taken during early autumn just as the cold nights begin turning the foliage into brilliant shades of gold and red and even purple. Copyright 1997-2001, Elizabeth Keller, All Rights Reserved. Extreme Science is a Registered Trademark.