Document Type

Newsletter

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Tremblings

Volume

16

Issue

3

Editor

Paul Rogers

Publisher

Western Aspen Alliance

Publication Date

8-2025

First Page

1

Last Page

4

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Abstract

Small-stand Challenges in the Northern Rockies

Brytten Steed, PhD, USFS Forest Entomologist (retired) Forest Health Protection - Missoula Field Office

Aspen in the Northern Rocky Mountains exist more often as small, scattered patches or “stringers” than the iconic landscapes of aspen found elsewhere. Like early-season fireflies, they dot the landscape where moisture is present, ringing potholes, lining streams, or clinging to topographies rich in subsurface moisture. Their rarity belies their importance to wildlife, livestock, fire movement, and humans. Aspen are preferred browse for large herbivores, a hotspot for birds, and home to a diversity of plants. People, too, gravitate to these communities for camping, hunting, photography, and retreat.


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