The Aspen Tree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Quaking Aspen, or Populus Tremuloides is a member of the Willow Family. The Quaking Aspen got its name because its leaves move in even the slightest breeze. The Aspen tree can range from 66 to 82 feet in height and average 7 to 12 inches in diameter. It is the most common tree in all of Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. The Aspen tree grows on a variety of soils, the best soils for it being derived from igneous rock. It requires certain kinds of nutrients including calcium, magnesium, potassium and nitrogen. For reproduction, the Aspen Tree grows 10 cm long fruits which are made up of a string of little capsules. Each of the capsules contain 10 seeds surrounded in a cotton like fluff to aid in the dispersal of the seeds. The young Aspens often fall prey to grazing cattle and other heriborus animals. This grazing kept the young trees from being able to mature and this resulted in a dieback, or massive death of many trees. The Aspen tree usually resides in forested areas, but I have seen them nearly everywhere. During the fall, the leaves of the Aspen Tree turn into colors of bright yellow and red. The leaves eventually fall off for the winter. Caterpillars often use the Aspen leaves as sources for food and a place to make a cacoon and turn into a butterfly. Bird use the dead trees to build houses for themselves.

Citations: Plants of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

Observation #3

Site: Behind my house in a wooded area

Date: 5-12-08

Time of day: 9:00 pm

Temperature: 46 degrees

Weather Conditions: overcast

Wind Conditions: Calm

Soil Conditions: Dryer



Notes: Small leaves are beginning to form on the branches of the aspen trees. This morning there was a female moose grazing on the grass by a remaining pile of snow. The moose looked like it had had a rough winter. It was very skinny and had a limp. The coat was very shaggy and unhealthy looking but I think that this is because it is in its molting period. With the coming of spring it seems as if the entire ecosystem is waking up. All of the snow has finnaly melted and with that more green grass is sprouting up. The bird population is increasing as they begin to consume seeds out of our bird feeder at an increasing rate. The birds are filling their niche because the seeds they drop are then being eaten by the squirrels and other rodents.

Observation #2

Site: Behind my house in a wooded area



Date: 5-9-08



Time of day: 6:55 am



Temperature: 36 degrees



Weather Conditions: Overcast, light rain



Wind Conditions: Calm



Soil Conditions: Wet



Notes: Buds have now began turning to leaves. The snow is now limited to small patches of areas in the shade. There is now a little more bird activity. This is probably due to the fact that my parents refilled the bird feeder. I spotted a herd of elk just outside of my area. The elk are on their way up into the mountains to have their young where it is safer and more protected. There is still little to no insect activity. There was squirrels climbing up and down the trees. The area smells like a damp forest because it had been raining last night. Animals are trying to compete for their territory and resources. The population of squirrels are constantly chatting with each other.

Observation #1

Site: Behind my house in a wooded area

Date: 5-7-08

Time of day: 6:00 pm

Temperature: 55 degrees

Weather Conditions: partly cloudy

Wind Conditions: Breezy

Soil Conditions: Very moist

Notes: The snow is coming close to be completely gone. Green grass is sprouting up in patches, but is not nearly as filled out as in the valley. I think this is due to the higher elevation that my observation area is at. Buds are beginning to appear on the branches of trees. There has been very little insect activity besides the occasional spider or fly. I spotted what I think is moose scat. The moose seems to come into the area to lick a salt block that my parents put out during the winter. There is little bird activity, but i doubt this will be the case further along in my study. Much of the ground is covered with dead leaves from last fall.