The Largest Organism on Earth
A grove of 47,000 Aspens originating from a single male parent Aspen is the largest organism on Earth. This grove covers 106 acres in Richfield, Utah, USA. The estimated total weight of wood in this organism is approximately 6,000 tonnes.
How Did This Grove Get So Large?
The single male aspen has been genetically cloning itself for thousands of years to make this huge grove, which is named Pando (Latin for ‘I spread’).
But not all Aspens are clones as they do reproduce through pollination when they can. So how can we tell if a particular stand of aspens is a clone or not?
The only sure way to tell is through genetic testing, but if all the leaves in the stand emerge at the same time in spring and turn the same colour simultaneously in the fall, then the trees just might be clone.
Special Aspens in Canada
Aspens are native to Canada and we can find one very special aspen grove right here in Saskatchewan.
Crooked Bush (also known as Twisted Trees) near Hafford, Saskatchewan is a small grove of Aspen trees that have developed a genetic mutation that makes them grow in a twisted shape.
Next time you spot Aspen trees, try to guess if they are clones or not! But, before you go on looking for cloned Aspens, make sure that they are Aspens and not Birch trees.
How To Tell Aspen and Birch Trees Apart?
Aspen and Birch trees both have straight whitish stems which makes it difficult to tell them apart. The easiest way to tell both trees apart is by looking closely at their leaves. The Aspen leaves are rounder compared to the Birch leaves and have relatively less sharp edges.
Aspen Leaves
Birch Leaves
If you know any other cool facts about Aspens, share them with us in the comment section below.
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