Aspen
Latin: Populus tremula (Linné 1753)
Svenska: Asp
Deutsch: Zitter-Pappel
The forest hotel
The aspen is an important tree in the forest: many species of lichen and moss grow on this tree’s bark. The black woodpecker and the great spotted woodpecker peck out their homes inside the aspen’s trunk. These woodpeckers peck out a new home every year, this is great for pygmy owls and Boreal owls as they can move into the holes of previous year. The aspen is also home to the official insect of Uppland - the bright red Cucujus cinnaberinus.
This tree grows throughout Uppland. In Fiby Urskog, there are some very large aspen trees.
Aspen blooms in April and May, and spreads its pollen in the wind. In the autumn, the aspen’s leaves change from green to beautiful shades of yellow and red before they fall to the ground. During the winter, the tree is already preparing buds for next year’s bloom!
Photo: FotoFinnaren
NatureGate on aspen
Wikipedia article on aspen