Quaking Aspen — American

Aspen bark is unique among North American trees because it is .

: The shimmering allows light to filter through to the inner leaves and trunk. american quaking aspen

: The "brain" of the organism is a massive underground root network that can live for thousands of years. Aspen bark is unique among North American trees

The tree's hallmark is the way its leaves tremble in even the slightest breeze. This occurs because the leaf stalks, or , are long and flattened perpendicular to the leaf blade, causing them to twist and flutter. This unique adaptation: The tree's hallmark is the way its leaves

As a "pioneer species," the quaking aspen is often the first to colonize areas after a forest fire or clear-cutting. Its roots are resistant to fire, allowing it to rapidly send up new shoots once the canopy above has been cleared and sunlight is available. Are you interested in one of these trees, or Tree Talk: Quaking Aspen

While it looks like a forest of individual trees, an aspen grove is often a single .