Quaking aspens, Populus tremuloides, sometimes known as trembling aspens or Quakies, are the most widely distributed native tree in North America. In the U.S., they are most prevalent in the northern areas of the Northeast and Upper Midwest. However, they have a significant presence in the mountain areas of the western U.S. Most quaking aspens in the West are found in five states; Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. In the West they commonly occur at elevations from 6,000 ft. to 10,000 ft. They can be found at lower and higher elevations, if the conditions are right. In northern regions, they occur at lower elevations while those farther south grow at higher elevations. Aspens have become synonymous with the mountain ranges of the Rocky Mountain chain.
Quaking aspens get their name from the quaking or trembling of the leaves in even the slightest breeze. This occurs because each leaf is attached by a petiole, a thin flexible stem, allowing it to flutter easily in the wind. They are medium-height, slender trees with smooth white bark marked with black scars. The trees are most noticeable in the autumn because of their bright yellow leaves, occasionally even orange or red.
Aspens are unusual because they are not individual trees, each with its own root system. Stands of aspens are clones sprouting from the same root system. The largest known quaking aspen stand from a single root system is the Pando Stand in the Fishlake National Forest in Sevier County, Utah. This stand has been called the world’s largest tree, covering 106 acres with an estimated 46,000 stems sprouting from a shared root system.
Displays of yellow aspens can be found throughout the Mountain West in September and into October. Generally, the displays start in the higher elevations first and gradually spread to the lower elevation stands. The exact dates depend on several factors including elevation, moisture, soil composition, and temperatures. Many tourism sites online provide fall color reports for their area if you are planning to seek out the peak of aspen colors.
When I was young, I camped at Maroon Bells near Aspen, Colorado in the autumn and the scene filled with golden aspens was stunning. Each autumn, my wife and I seek out aspens in their fall color display. One of our favorite spots is the Empire Pass/Guardsman Pass area near Park City and Midway, Utah. Where they occur in dense stands, the sea of yellow juxtaposed with the greens of coniferous trees creates a beauty that is beyond words.
If you have the opportunity, walk among aspen trees exhibiting their autumn splendor. Listen to the gentle rustling of the leaves in the breeze. Notice how the leaves are illuminated by the backlighting of the sun. All of this is food for the soul.
Love it.