Aspen (Populus tremuloides)

The Aspen averages a height usually 66–82 feet at maturity, with a trunk 7.9–31 inches in diameter. The bark is relatively smooth, greenish-white to gray, and is marked by thick black horizontal scars and prominent black knots. The leaves on mature trees are nearly round, 4–8 centimeters in diameter with small rounded teeth, and a 3–7 centimeters long, flattened petiole. The flowers are catkins 4–6 centimeters long, produced in early spring before the leaves; it is dioecious, with male and female catkins on different trees.

It distributes itself primarily through root sprouts, and extensive colonies. Each colony is its own clone, and all trees in the clone have identical characteristics and share a single root structure. A clone may turn color earlier or later in the fall than its neighboring aspen clones. Fall colors are usually bright tones of yellow; in some areas, red blushes may be seen occasionally.  They can live 40-150 years above ground, however their root systems last over thousands of years. Aspens do have seeds, however, they are extremely small (three million per pound), and don't last long because of their lack of food source and protective coating.

Aspens are abundant here in Jackson because they are generally found at altitudes of 5,000-12,000 feet and can survive without much water.  Populus tremuloides are found all throughout the North American continent, even reaching southern Mexico. They are deciduous trees, which means they re-bloom every spring.