: Small, rounded leaves with flexible stems help branches survive heavy mountain snowfalls.
: The constant movement helps dissipate heat during summer. One Organism, Thousands of Trunks
The tree's hallmark is the way its leaves tremble in even the slightest breeze. This occurs because the leaf stalks, or , are long and flattened perpendicular to the leaf blade, causing them to twist and flutter. This unique adaptation:
: The most famous colony, located in Utah, covers over 100 acres and consists of roughly 47,000 genetically identical trunks (stems). It is considered the heaviest living organism on the planet.
: The "brain" of the organism is a massive underground root network that can live for thousands of years.
: Because they share DNA, every tree in a clone will leaf out in the spring and turn golden-yellow in the fall at the exact same time. Living Bark and Sunscreen
Aspen bark is unique among North American trees because it is .
: Even in winter when the leaves are gone, the greenish-white bark continues to produce energy for the tree.
