Nature Note:Quaking Aspen

Kaibab National Forest,Arizona has just released a set of fall colour photos.This reminded me of the beauty of the quaking aspen,an iconic tree of Western and Northern America and Canada.To see the photos,please visit my blog The Friday Late Post.*
The quaking aspen(Populus tremuloides)grows from near sea level in the north of its range,up to 10,000 feet/3048 meters.It is an early succession tree,appearing in new clearings,abandoned farms or burns,and is eventually replaced by conifers.The leaves tremble readily in the wind and are famous for their bright gold autumn colour.
Quaking aspen may grow in pure stands and propagate by root sprouts,especially in the West,as well as by tiny seeds.
It may be planted as an ornamental and tends to form clumps.An important wildlife tree,it is browsed by elk,moose,deer,sheep and goats,as well as rabbits,beavers,quail and grouse.The aspen may reach 70 feet/21 meters in height,and 1.5 feet/0.5 meters in diameter.Its bark ranges from white to dark grey on larger specimens.
Quaking aspen only grows in the mountains in the southern parts of its range,including Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Mysterious Leaf Color

The mature silver maple on the property has autumn leaves in an unusual color this year.Normally,the fall color is bright yellow.This year,however,the maple's leaves that have turned so far are partly to nearly completely red.Perhaps this is from the very hot and dry summer conditions.It could also be from the tree's age,or a combination of factors,not all of them ascertainable.Whatever the cause,the mysterious color of the old,big tree is a rare and welcome addition to the autumn palette.