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36-491: Below the tree line on Mount Timpanogos are vast forests of aspen , Douglas fir , subalpine fir , limber pine , Gambel oak , maple , and chokecherry . Common flowers in the wilderness include forget-me-not , alpine buttercup , bluebell , arnica , larkspur , yarrow , sulfur buckwheat , geranium , and columbine . Some common wildlife found in Mount Timpanogos Wilderness include Rocky Mountain goat in

72-599: A central concern in their land management policies. Paul Rogers and Darren McAvoy of Utah State University completed an assessment of Pando's status in 2018 and stressed the importance of reducing herbivory by mule deer as critical to conserving Pando for the future. In 2019, Rogers and Jan Šebesta surveyed other vegetation within Pando besides aspen, finding additional support for their 2018 conclusions; that interactions between browsing and management strategy may have had adverse effects on Pando's long-term resilience to change. In 2023,

108-399: A clone. Due to the progressive replacement of stems and roots, the overall age of an aspen clone cannot be determined from tree rings . Speculation on Pando's age have ranged between from 80,000 years to 1 Million years old. Many news sources list Pando's age as 80,000 years old, but this claim derives from a now-removed National Park Service web page, which redacted that claim in 2023 and,

144-674: A hormone response that stimulates new growth. In 1993, Fishlake National Forest began work on the "Aspen Regeneration Project", installing fences to help control deer and elk who threatened to destroy the productive results of work to spur and protect new growth Today, 53 acres of Pando is protected by 8-foot fences to control populations of mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ) and elk ( Cervus canadensis ), and to control human uses, such as permitted grazing by domestic cattle ( Bos taurus ). Additional fencing protections are to be added in 2025 bringing approximately 84 acres of Pando's landmass into protective care. Regeneration rates in portions of

180-451: A majority of Pando's land mass is fenced for permanent protection and management as a unique tree. In terms of cattle grazing, Cattle grazing is only permitted on a volume basis for 10 days a year in October, weather permitting in a small edge of Pando's expanse. In 2023, local grazers group 7 Mile Grazers signed off on a plan that would bring remaining portions of Pando into protective care under

216-413: A process called suckering. An individual stem can send out lateral roots that, under the right conditions, send up other erect stems; from all above-ground appearances the new stems look just like individual trees. The process is repeated until a whole stand, of what appear to be individual trees, forms. This collection of multiple stems, called ramets, all form one, single, genetic individual, usually termed

252-486: A root system that spans 42.8 ha (106 acres). Pando is the largest tree by weight and landmass and the largest known aspen clone. Pando was identified as a single living organism because each of its stems possesses identical genetic markers . The massive interconnected root system coordinates energy production, defense and regeneration across the tree's landmass. Pando spans 1.08 km × 0.72 km (0.67 mi × 0.45 mi) at its widest expanse along of

288-935: A team of researchers, land managers, wildlife biologists and citizen scientists groups began long term programs to monitor deer and elk using GPS collars and wildlife cameras to better understand wildlife, as well as deer and elk browsing on the tree. In 2022, Executive Order 14702 directed the US Forest Service to inventory old growth and mature forest as part of a plan to protect mature and old growth forest. Data submitted by Fishlake National Forest defined Pando's landmass as mature meaning it could be eligible for special care and protections. Most agree, based on Barnes' work and later work, that Pando encompasses 42.89 hectares (106 acres), weighs an estimated 6,000 metric tons (6,600 short tons) or 13.2 million pounds, and features an estimated 47,000 stems, which die individually and are replaced by genetically identical stems that are sent up from

324-474: Is base-rich , meaning aspens are important hosts for bryophytes and act as food plants for the larvae of butterfly ( Lepidoptera ) species—see List of Lepidoptera that feed on poplars. Young aspen bark is an important seasonal forage for the European hare and other animals in early spring. Aspen is also a preferred food of the European beaver . Elk , deer , and moose not only eat the leaves but also strip

360-466: Is also a popular animal bedding, since it lacks the phenols associated with pine and juniper , which are thought to cause respiratory system ailments in some animals. Heat-treated aspen is a popular material for the interiors of saunas . While standing trees sometimes tend to rot from the heart outward, the dry timber weathers very well, becoming silvery-grey and resistant to rotting and warping, and has traditionally been used for rural construction in

396-465: Is the flattened leaf petiole, which reduces aerodynamic drag during high winds and decreases the likelihood of trunk or branch damage. Dropping leaves in the winter (like most but not all other deciduous plants) also helps to prevent damage from heavy winter snow. Additionally, the bark is photosynthetic, meaning that growth is still possible after the leaves have been dropped. The bark also contains lenticels that serve as pores for gas exchange (similar to

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432-500: The Emerald Lake region, as well as mule deer , elk , moose , mountain lion , black bear , and several species of raptor . Due to its close proximity to Salt Lake City and Provo, Mount Timpanogos Wilderness sees a relatively large number of visitors. The most common recreational activity in the wilderness is hiking. There are approximately 17 miles (27 km) of trails from two trailheads: Timpooneke and Aspen Grove. Both lead to

468-572: The heaviest known organism . The Pando Tree's 43-hectare (106-acre) expanse also makes Pando the largest tree by landmass. Systems of classification used to define large trees vary considerably, leading to some confusion about Pando's status. Within the United States, the Official Register of Champion Trees defines the largest trees in a species specific way , in this case, Pando is the largest aspen tree ( Populus tremuloides) . In forestry,

504-399: The stomata on leaves). Aspens are also aided by the rhizomatic nature of their root systems. Most aspens grow in large clonal colonies , derived from a single seedling, and spread by means of root suckers ; new stems in the colony may appear at up to 30–40 m (100–130 ft) from the parent tree. Each individual tree can live for 40–150 years above ground, but the root system of

540-506: The "Aspen Regeneration Project" which started in the 1990's, showed promise based on photographic evidence and repeated survey plots by land managers, scientists and conservation groups between 1993 and today. Despite this, many have argued more work needs to be done to control wildlife, as the Pando Tree is surrounded by 700 square miles of de facto wildlife preserve managed by people, groups and agencies who do not have Pando's sustainability as

576-469: The "Pando Protection Plan", which would bring nearly 34 hectares (84 acres) of the tree into protective care. In terms of fire suppression, research indicates Pando has survived fires that would have likely leveled the tree many times, after which Pando regenerated itself from the root system. The same research also indicates large-scale fire events are infrequent, which may be owed to the fact that aspen are water heavy and naturally fire resistant, earning them

612-519: The Fish Lake clone were relatively obscure. Work by Fishlake National Forest to understand and protect the tree began in 1987, according to interviews and articles written by Fishlake Forest as well as accounts gathered by Friends of Pando. Based of Barnes and Kempermans's 1976 paper noting Pando's discovery, Michael Grant, Jeffrey Mitton, and Yan Linhart of the University of Colorado at Boulder re-examined

648-593: The Pando Tree in a class of its own. Since the early 2000s, little information has been adequately corroborated about Pando's origins and how its genetic integrity has been sustained over a long period of time (between 9,000 and 14,000 years - 18,000 years by the latest (2024) estimate. ). Researchers have argued that Pando’s future is uncertain due to a combination of factors including drought , cattle grazing , and fire suppression . In terms of drought, Pando's long lived nature suggests it has survived droughts that have driven out humans for centuries. In terms of grazing,

684-509: The Pando Tree. Notable organizations that also study and advocate to protect Pando's care include Western Aspen Alliance and Grand Canyon Trust. The Pando tree was identified in 1976 by Jerry Kemperman and Burton V. Barnes . A posthumous biography by Barnes' colleague, Daniel Kashian, details Pando's discovery: As a part of his aspen work in the West, Burt began to examine an extremely large trembling aspen clone southwest of Fish Lake, Utah, in

720-465: The aspen is referred to as quaking aspen or trembling aspen because the leaves "quake" or tremble in the wind. This is due to their flattened petioles which reduce aerodynamic drag on the trunk and branches. Aspens typically grow in environments that are otherwise dominated by coniferous tree species, and which are often lacking other large deciduous tree species. Aspens have evolved several adaptations that aid their survival in such environments. One

756-436: The bark with their front teeth. Aspen wood is white and soft, but fairly strong, and has low flammability. It has a number of uses, notably for making matches and paper where its low flammability makes it safer to use than most other woods. Shredded aspen wood is used for packing and stuffing, sometimes called excelsior (wood wool) . Aspen flakes are the most common species of wood used to make oriented strand boards . It

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792-879: The clone in 1992 and described Pando as a single male aspen clone based on its morphological characteristics such as pollen production, leaves, and root structure. Michael Grant named the tree "Pando" which is latin for "I spread" in an editorial which was later published in Discover Magazine. A large scale genetic sampling and analysis was published in 2008 by Jennifer DeWoody, Karen Mock, Valerie Hipkins and Carol Rowe. The research team's genetic study confirmed morphological analysis by Barnes and Kemperman as well as Mitton, Grant and Linhart thus, verifying Pando's size and scale of operation. In late 1987, Fishlake National Forest began work to remove diseased trees and promote new growth using coppicing (a form of mechanical stimulation), to simultaneously remove diseased stems which triggers

828-631: The colony is long-lived. In some cases, this is for thousands of years, sending up new trunks as the older trunks die off above ground. For this reason, it is considered to be an indicator of ancient woodlands. One such colony in Utah, given the nickname of " Pando ", has been estimated to be as old as 80,000 years, if validated, this would be making it possibly the oldest living colony of aspens. Some aspen colonies become very large with time, spreading about 1 m (3 ft) per year, eventually covering many hectares. They are able to survive forest fires , because

864-489: The largest trees are measured by the greatest volume of a single stem, regardless of species, in that case, the General Sherman Tree , is the largest unitary (single stem) tree. While many emphasize that Pando is the largest clonal organism, other large trees, including Redwoods can also reproduce via cloning. Pando being the heaviest tree and the largest tree by landmass, while also being the largest aspen clone leaves

900-428: The last Glacial Maximum in the area based on paleo-climate models and genetic traits of aspen sites throughout North America. Estimates of Pando's age have also been influenced by changes in the understanding of establishment of aspen clones in western North America. Earlier sources argued germination and successful establishment of aspen on new sites was rare in the last 10,000 years and therefore, Pando's root system

936-421: The late 1960s and early 1970s. Using aerial photography and the same morphological differentiation techniques he developed for aspen at UMBS for his dissertation, Burt concluded that the aspen forest that covered about 106 acres was a single aspen clone, quite possibly the “world’s largest organism.” Other than a single publication about aspen clone size and another great story to tell his students, Burt’s studies on

972-578: The lip of Timpanogos Basin. Aspen Aspen is a common name for certain tree species; some, but not all, are classified by botanists in the section Populus , of the Populus genus . These species are called aspens: Aspen trees are all native to cold regions with cool summers, in the north of the northern hemisphere , extending south at high-altitude areas such as mountains or high plains. They are all medium-sized deciduous trees reaching 15–30 m (50–100 ft) tall. In North America,

1008-631: The name "asbestos forest" by Canadian Forest Ecologist Lori Daniels. There is broad consensus that wildlife controls and protection from deer and elk who feed on the new growth faster than it can reach maturity is critical. Such protection systems are only meaningful if they are coupled with ongoing monitoring and restoration efforts, which are under way. Friends of Pando and the United States Forest Service are official partners working to study and protect Pando and work alongside Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to care for and protect

1044-587: The northwestern regions of Russia (especially for roofing, in the form of thin slats). Pando (Quaking Aspen) Pando (from Latin pando  'I spread'), is the world's largest tree, a quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides ) located in Sevier County, Utah , United States, in the Fishlake National Forest . A male clonal organism , Pando has an estimated 47,000 stems (ramets) that appear to be individual trees, but are connected by

1080-446: The roots are below the heat of the fire, and new sprouts appear after the fire burns out. The high stem turnover rate combined with the clonal growth leads to proliferation in aspen colonies. The high stem turnover regime supports a diverse herbaceous understory. Aspen seedlings do not thrive in the shade, and it is difficult for seedlings to establish in an already mature aspen stand. Fire indirectly benefits aspen trees, since it allows

1116-900: The saplings to flourish in open sunlight in the burned landscape, devoid of other competing tree species. Aspens have increased in popularity as a forestry cultivation species, mostly because of their fast growth rate and ability to regenerate from sprouts. This lowers the cost of reforestation after harvesting since no planting or sowing is required. Recently, aspen populations have been declining in some areas ("Sudden Aspen Death"). This has been attributed to several different factors, such as climate change , which exacerbates drought and modifies precipitation patterns. Recruitment failure from herbivory or grazing prevents new trees from coming up after old trees die. Additionally, successional replacement by conifers due to fire suppression alters forest diversity and creates conditions where aspen may be at less of an advantage. In contrast with many trees, aspen bark

Mount Timpanogos Wilderness - Misplaced Pages Continue

1152-512: The southwestern edge of the Fishlake Basin and lies 0.69 km (0.43 mi) to the west of Fish Lake, the largest natural mountain freshwater lake in Utah. Pando's landmass spreads from 2,700 m (8,900 ft) above sea level to approximately 2,773 m (9,098 ft) above sea level along the western side of a steep basin wall. Pando is estimated to weigh collectively 6,000 tonnes (6,000,000 kg), or 13.2 million pounds, making it

1188-531: The summit of Mount Timpanogos at 11,753 feet (3,582 m). On March 9, 1955, a U.S. Air Force B-25 bomber crashed on the east side of Mount Timpanogos. Bound for March Air Force Base in Riverside , California , the pilot was apparently disoriented by poor weather conditions. Three crewmembers and two passengers died in the crash. A 1-mile (1.6 km) trail to the crash site leaves the main Timpooneke trail at

1224-426: The tree's vast root system, a process known as "suckering". The root system is estimated to be several thousand years old, with habitat modeling suggesting a maximum age of 14,000 years and 18,000 years by the latest (2024) estimate. Individual stems do not typically live more than 100–130 years. Mitton and Grant summarize the development of stems in aspen clones: ... quaking aspen regularly reproduces via

1260-799: Was inconsistent with the Forest Service 's post ice-age estimate. Glaciers repeatedly formed on the Fish Lake Plateau over the past several hundred thousand years and the mountains above Pando's landmass were crowned by glaciers as recently as the last glacial maximum . Ages greater than approximately 16,000 years therefore require Pando to have survived at least the Pinedale glaciation , something that appears unlikely under current estimates of Pando's age and modeling of variation in Pando's local climate. A 2017 paper by Chen Ding et al. seems to support US Forest Service claims that Pando could not be older than

1296-701: Was likely over 10,000 years old. More recent observations, however, have shown seedling establishment of new aspen clones is a regular occurrence and can be abundant on sites exposed by wildfire . These findings are summarized in the U.S. Forest Service's Fire Effects Information System : Kay documented post-fire quaking aspen seedling establishment following 1986 and 1988 fires in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, respectively. He found seedlings were concentrated in kettles and other topographic depressions, seeps, springs, lake margins, and burnt-out riparian zones. A few seedlings were widely scattered throughout

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