#quaking aspen

[victusinveritas]

Meet Pando, not a forest but a single tree. Every trunk of the Quaking Aspen is genetically identical & connected by a single 80,000 year old root system, making it one of the largest and oldest living entities on Earth!

[boiga]

Pando, a quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) in Utah. Though this looks like a forest of many trees, each tree is a genetically identical 'clone' of the mother tree, all belonging to the same 14,000 year old root system. Pando is one of the largest and longest living organisms in the world.

by Dan Brekke

[bardopluto]

[breezewithu]

2021/10/05

[southpawslant-76]

Grand Mesa’s Quaking Aspens:

A golden crown high atop the world’s largest flat-topped mountain, the Grand Mesa hosts one of Colorado’s most breathtaking natural displays—the shimmering groves of quaking aspens (Populus tremuloides). In summer, their green leaves flutter like coins in the wind, and by autumn, they ignite the mesa in brilliant shades of gold, creating a spectacle that draws visitors from across the globe.

A Forest That Moves as One:

These aspens are more than individual trees—they are part of vast, interconnected colonies linked by a shared root system. Each grove is a single living organism, capable of regenerating after fire or harsh winters. This resilience makes the aspen a symbol of renewal and continuity on the Grand Mesa, where its golden canopy frames alpine lakes and rugged trails, offering a timeless reminder of nature’s enduring beauty.

[grace-sketches]

Finally finished this after many delays.

I was inspired to do a painting based on the pando aspen grove post that's been floating around recently.

I've also included the initial sketch I did for the character.

[uwudonoodle]

Autumn leaves in the first snow.

[kurtoutdoorman]