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. Nests of sapsuckers are usually located on the edge of woodlands, often adjacent to bodies of water or other open areas such as roads, cut lines, and meadows. Nests are also sometimes placed in proximity to stands of willow. It is this activity that has given the birds their name.