Bigtooth Aspen is named for the large, irregular teeth on its leaves — much coarser than the fine-toothed Trembling Aspen. It is a fast-growing, short-lived pioneer tree of the northeastern US and southeastern Canada, quickly colonizing disturbed areas after fire, logging, or windthrow. Like all aspens, it reproduces primarily by root sprouting, forming dense clonal thickets. The young bark is greenish-white and photosynthetically active in winter, providing energy when the tree has no leaves.
Habitat
Upland forests, burned areas, logged sites, and disturbed ground across the northeastern US and southeastern Canada.
Diet
Bark and twigs browsed by moose, deer, and beavers; buds important for ruffed grouse and other forest birds.
How common
Common
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