The shocking role played by the Aspen Trees

[Robert W]

Do research about Aspen Trees on their role in saving forests. Aspen Trees are a proven firebreak against fires. More than that, they also resist fires very well. And when burned, the roots sprout new trees. They also inhibit coniferous trees from spreading. We have them here in Oregon, they thrive in Utah and Colorado and if you know more, please share it here.

Aspen forests play a significant role in mitigating wildfire spread. Research indicates that aspen trees can slow the progression of wildfires and act as natural firebreaks.

• A study found that even small increases in aspen cover can reduce fire growth by about one-third compared to areas with less aspen.
  
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• Aspen forests are more resistant to fire due to their higher moisture content and self-pruning nature, which reduces flammability.
  
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• The presence of aspen trees at the edges of fires has been observed, indicating that they can either slow down or stop fire progression.
  
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• Encouraging aspen growth through methods like prescribed burns can enhance fire management strategies in fire-prone areas.
  
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  These findings suggest that aspen forests can be valuable assets in fire management efforts.
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  6 Sources

Aspen Times
Aspen forests can slow wildfire spread and serve as fire breaks ...


Earth.com
How aspen forests can help stop wildfires in their tracks

 

[egp320i]

I had some quaking aspens on my property I once owned, they propagate through shoots, thus aspen grooves.
plant one and for free you get more, they are nice, until they get a disease of course.
one thing, if you need to trim a branch.....they smell awesome, not sure why but they do

 

[ReinyDays]

Do research about Aspen Trees on their role in saving forests. Aspen Trees are a proven firebreak against fires. More than that, they also resist fires very well. And when burned, the roots sprout new trees. They also inhibit coniferous trees from spreading. We have them here in Oregon, they thrive in Utah and Colorado and if you know more, please share it here.

Aspen forests play a significant role in mitigating wildfire spread. Research indicates that aspen trees can slow the progression of wildfires and act as natural firebreaks.

• A study found that even small increases in aspen cover can reduce fire growth by about one-third compared to areas with less aspen.
  
  2
• Aspen forests are more resistant to fire due to their higher moisture content and self-pruning nature, which reduces flammability.
  
  2
• The presence of aspen trees at the edges of fires has been observed, indicating that they can either slow down or stop fire progression.
  
  2
• Encouraging aspen growth through methods like prescribed burns can enhance fire management strategies in fire-prone areas.
  
  1
  These findings suggest that aspen forests can be valuable assets in fire management efforts.
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  6 Sources

Aspen Times
Aspen forests can slow wildfire spread and serve as fire breaks ...

Earth.com
How aspen forests can help stop wildfires in their tracks

Won't this be worse? ... by inhibiting fire, we allow the fuels to build up ... so that when it does burn, and it will always burn, it will burn much stronger and hotter causing more devastation ...

I'm pretty sure I don't want aspen in my timber lot ... Douglas fir is worth good money, even burnt ... aspen's just a invasive weed, something I'd spray for ...

Besides ... most forest fires are human caused ... planting aspen isn't proof against stupidity ...

 

[Robert W]

Won't this be worse? ... by inhibiting fire, we allow the fuels to build up ... so that when it does burn, and it will always burn, it will burn much stronger and hotter causing more devastation ...

I'm pretty sure I don't want aspen in my timber lot ... Douglas fir is worth good money, even burnt ... aspen's just a invasive weed, something I'd spray for ...

Besides ... most forest fires are human caused ... planting aspen isn't proof against stupidity ...

The idea to use them to prevent forest fires has gained popularity among experts.

 

[Oddball]

Won't this be worse? ... by inhibiting fire, we allow the fuels to build up ... so that when it does burn, and it will always burn, it will burn much stronger and hotter causing more devastation ...

The two aren't mutually exclusive...Proper forest management mitigates the excess fuel buildup.

I'm pretty sure I don't want aspen in my timber lot ... Douglas fir is worth good money, even burnt ... aspen's just a invasive weed, something I'd spray for ...

Is outstanding pulp wood...Regenerates quickly.

Besides ... most forest fires are human caused ... planting aspen isn't proof against stupidity ...

Nearly all the Canadian fires that have blanketed the northern tier of states with their smoke have been started by lightning.

 

[Robert W]

The two aren't mutually exclusive...Proper forest management mitigates the excess fuel buildup.

Is outstanding pulp wood...Regenerates quickly.

Nearly all the Canadian fires that have blanketed the northern tier of states with their smoke have been started by lightning.

I notice here in Oregon; their trees are very close together. Though not always, so many are, it was a thing I observed different from most forests in the west.

 

[Oddball]

I notice here in Oregon; their trees are very close together. Though not always, so many are, it was a thing I observed different from most forests in the west.

Probably harvested a number of years ago....You cut down an aspen and you get 20 of them.

Same with oak...Have numerous red oak on my back 40 that I'm currently culling.

 

[ReinyDays]

The two aren't mutually exclusive...Proper forest management mitigates the excess fuel buildup.

Is outstanding pulp wood...Regenerates quickly.

Nearly all the Canadian fires that have blanketed the northern tier of states with their smoke have been started by lightning.

Prescribed fires are to insure the health of the native trees ... replicating the normal wildfire effects ...

Wildfires here in Oregon are mostly human-caused ... and it's worse in California ... we aren't getting any smoke from Canada ... I've never lived there so I really don't know what the problem is up there ... lightning isn't a new thing there ... obviously the forests are supposed to burn ... preventing natural wildfires is counter-productive to having healthy forests ...

You know timber is more valuable that pulp right? ... this is like asking corn farmers to grow millet to stop corn borer beetle ... do you want 120 acres of 300 foot trees or 25 foot brush ... don't forget the 300 foot trees tend to survive wildfires, see above ...

 

[Robert W]

Probably harvested a number of years ago....You cut down an aspen and you get 20 of them.

Same with oak...Have numerous red oak on my back 40 that I'm currently culling.

These are the trees I spoke of. Saw them in the millions.

Douglas-fir
The majority of trees in Oregon's forests are Douglas-fir, which dominate the western forests. Other significant tree species include ponderosa pine in eastern Oregon and mixed conifers in southwest Oregon. Overall, Oregon's forests are characterized by a diverse range of tree species, with Douglas-fir being the most iconic and widely found.

OregonForests.org+2

 

[Oddball]

Prescribed fires are to insure the health of the native trees ... replicating the normal wildfire effects ...

Wildfires here in Oregon are mostly human-caused ... and it's worse in California ... we aren't getting any smoke from Canada ... I've never lived there so I really don't know what the problem is up there ... lightning isn't a new thong there ... obviously the forests are supposed to burn ... preventing natural wildfires is counter-productive to having healthy forests ...

You know timber is more valuable that pulp right? ... this is like asking corn farmers to grow millet to stop corn borer beetle ... do you want 120 acres of 300 foot trees or 25 foot brush ... don't forget the 300 foot trees tend to survive wildfires, see above ...

You cannot always do prescribed burns...California is a good example because of all the chaparral, which is like organic gasoline.

Canada's fires are burning so much and for so long because nobody lives in the burn areas and there's no access, so they have to just let them burn out.

I'm making no value judgment on what kinds of trees are best for any operation, just pointing out that aspen is excellent pulpwood.

 

[Robert W]

You cannot always do prescribed burns...California is a good example because of all the chaparral, which is like organic gasoline.

Canada's fires are burning so much and for so long because nobody lives in the burn areas and there's no access, so they have to just let them burn out.

I'm making no value judgment on what kinds of trees are best for any operation, just pointing out that aspen is excellent pulpwood.

And more....
Aspen trees have various uses, including:

Wood+3

• Commercial uses: Furniture, toothpicks, matchsticks, boxes, crates, paneling, and chipboard.
• Paper pulp: Aspen has been a popular source for paper pulp since the late 1940s.
• Historical uses: Native American tribes used aspen bark for crafting baskets, building shelters, and making traditional clothing.
• Wood properties: Aspen wood is white, soft, lightweight, and used for oars, paddles, surgical splints, wagon bottoms, matches, paper, and packing material.
• Therapeutic properties: Scientific research has shown that aspen may alleviate pain, enhance respiratory health, promote wound healing, reduce anxiety, and support digestive well-being.

 

[ReinyDays]

You cannot always do prescribed burns...California is a good example because of all the chaparral, which is like organic gasoline.

Canada's fires are burning so much and for so long because nobody lives in the burn areas and there's no access, so they have to just let them burn out.

I'm making no value judgment on what kinds of trees are best for any operation, just pointing out that aspen is excellent pulpwood.

Chaparral is a bad example of California forests ... aspen would not grow in the desert-like conditions there, not without irrigation ... and I think the OP is a bit generous about how widespread aspen is in Oregon ... westside nothing competes against D-fir, eastside you'll need irrigation ...

Just like here ... all these Canadian fires are perfectly natural ... they're supposed to happen ... would we even be able to grow aspen in Canada? ... I don't know what is growing there now that would need replacement ...

 

[Oddball]

Chaparral is a bad example of California forests ... aspen would not grow in the desert-like conditions there, not without irrigation ... and I think the OP is a bit generous about how widespread aspen is in Oregon ... westside nothing competes against D-fir, eastside you'll need irrigation ...

Just like here ... all these Canadian fires are perfectly natural ... they're supposed to happen ... would we even be able to grow aspen in Canada? ... I don't know what is growing there now that would need replacement ...

OK....What does all of that have to do with what I said, about prescribed burns not always being a possibility and/or good idea?

 

[Robert W]

Chaparral is a bad example of California forests ... aspen would not grow in the desert-like conditions there, not without irrigation ... and I think the OP is a bit generous about how widespread aspen is in Oregon ... westside nothing competes against D-fir, eastside you'll need irrigation ...

Just like here ... all these Canadian fires are perfectly natural ... they're supposed to happen ... would we even be able to grow aspen in Canada? ... I don't know what is growing there now that would need replacement ...

Oregon gets plenty of rain and snow. I did not define the spread of Aspen in Oregon. We drove past a named site of Aspen at a community called Sisters that has Aspen and I did not see even one Aspen there. Aspen grows well in cold areas. The fires around the Methuselah trees are not finding much fuel.

 

[egp320i]

These are the trees I spoke of. Saw them in the millions.

Douglas-fir
The majority of trees in Oregon's forests are Douglas-fir, which dominate the western forests. Other significant tree species include ponderosa pine in eastern Oregon and mixed conifers in southwest Oregon. Overall, Oregon's forests are characterized by a diverse range of tree species, with Douglas-fir being the most iconic and widely found.
OregonForests.org+2

I've been all over CO, they have massive aspen groves, obviously Aspen is know for them, been there too, in the fall it's a lovely sight

 

[ReinyDays]

Oregon gets plenty of rain and snow. I did not define the spread of Aspen in Oregon. We drove past a named site of Aspen at a community called Sisters that has Aspen and I did not see even one Aspen there. Aspen grows well in cold areas. The fires around the Methuselah trees are not finding much fuel.
View attachment 1144123

You think the Oregon Desert gets plenty of rain and snow? ... look at your picture ... just one single tree and it looks about dead anyway ...

Yeesh ... come visit westside during rainy season ...

 

[Robert W]

You think the Oregon Desert gets plenty of rain and snow? ... look at your picture ... just one single tree and it looks about dead anyway ...

Yeesh ... come visit westside during rainy season ...

That tree is in California and is what is alleged to be in fire danger. Of course, where there is desert in Oregon, plants are those found in desert.

 

[ReinyDays]

That tree is in California and is what is alleged to be in fire danger. Of course, where there is desert in Oregon, plants are those found in desert.

And where are aspens growing naturally in Eastern Oregon? ... Peck (1941) only lists it as "Widely distributed at middle altitudes in the mountains east of the Cascade divide; rarely west of the Cascade mountains" ... wildfires don't seem to be mitigated where aspens grow thick ... now do they? ...

What you may be looking at are cottonwoods ...

 

[Robert W]

And where are aspens growing naturally in Eastern Oregon? ... Peck (1941) only lists it as "Widely distributed at middle altitudes in the mountains east of the Cascade divide; rarely west of the Cascade mountains" ... wildfires don't seem to be mitigated where aspens grow thick ... now do they? ...

What you may be looking at are cottonwoods ...

Earlier I pointed to areas of Oregon where the Aspens grow. Such as Sisters area.
I also posted data on the ability of aspens to slow or stop fires.

 

[odanny]

Three decades after wolves were reintroduced in Yellowstone National Park, aspen stands are recovering, a new analysis suggests.

Published in Forest Ecology and Management, the study looks at what happened after 1995, when wolves were reintroduced to the park. During most of the 20th century, there were no apex predators in the park aside from bears and cougars, and elk increased to record numbers.

In previous years, the elk had kept young aspen to 1 meter (3.28 feet) or less in height, preventing the trees from growing to their natural height of up to 40 feet.

Now that wolves are back and bears and cougars prey on elk in the park, the researchers write, elk numbers are down and aspen stands are growing new trees again, with young trees more than 5 centimeters’ diameter at breast height found for the first time in more than 80 years.

Without predation, grazing species like elk increase until limited by starvation; they also can eat too much vegetation, causing other problems down the food chain.

Now, the park contains “historically and ecologically significant” amounts of growing aspen saplings, the researchers write — key to the ecosystem’s future as it continues to recover. Aspens support habitat and species diversity, they add.