Aspen 3 years on

I chose to plant Quaking Aspen inspired by a visit to Carrifran Wildwood in the Scottish Borders where they have planted aspen lower down the valley and were delighted when I visited in 2019 by their growth and the experience of the quaking leaves and the sound they made. I had not realised they are a native species. I then came across BOOM (Back on our Map) a project run by Cumbria University seeking to restore species that have been lost or are under threat in Cumbria. Aspen were one of their chosen species.

'The BOOM project aims to increase the connectivity of aspen in South Cumbria. We will take hard-root cuttings from aspen across the project area, and work with community stakeholder organisations such as Green Heart Den and Art Gene to propagate the cuttings, with the aim to generate a clone bank of local south Cumbrian aspen clones.'

I approached the University and they donated 100 saplings from Cumbria. Some were collected whips from established trees and others were propagated and raised by the prisoners at Haverigg Open Prison. I then purchased a further 350 saplings which had been propagated in Northumberland. The scarcity of Aspen in Cumbria means that they are reproducing using whips that come up near the parent tree and has the same genetic material as the parent as opposed to cross fertilising with another tree which would produce a new genetic variation. This is causing a risk as trees are becoming the same stock and should that fall to a disease they could all be affected. Cross pollination strengthens the tree and protects against disease. Also Cumbrian Aspen have become 70% male and 30% female in this process making cross pollination even less likely. Strengthening the Cumbrian stock with Northumberland trees, which will be 50:50 male to female will help this process.

Aspen whips from Back on our Map ready for planting

January 2024 Aspen being planted

Aspen planted, staked and guarded and awaiting mulch mats to suppress the grass from shading them out, hold onto water and maintain the temperature of the roots.

Aspen can take over and crowd out other trees. They put up whips very quickly and grow rapidly so I chose areas of Bel's Wood that were bounded by walls, the beck, established trees or rocky escarpments. In that way the saplings of other species would not be competed with until they were more established. Therefore they are in two stands. The trees grow tall quickly so I have chosen areas that are not exposed to the prevailing wind. They also enjoy damp conditions.

April 2024 mulch mats being laid

The bottom stand has other trees mixed in such as Hazel, Willow and Small Leaved Lime. This is the area by the gate and was the last area planted. I think these trees were left over from having planted everywhere else so there is a nice mix. I had chosen the gate and roadside area for the Aspen thinking that pollen may get taken further afield by passing animals and traffic flows. Also the autumn colours would give a good display to passing walkers.

May 2024 one of the last areas to have mulch mats laid

Right from the first year the Aspen grew quickly. The areas planted into were both engulfed with bracken and needed to be cut twice. The stand at the top has grown far more rapidly than the one by the gate. 

June 2025 and the trees are hardly visible

Until this year I thought there was only the occasional Aspen but this year they have made themselves seen and become more established. 

September 2026 - the larger trees are Aspen and have shot up this summer

This stand still has some catching up to do with the top stand. Last year I was walking through those trees one day listening to the sounds of the leaves quaking and I realised that this is now a wood. The trees had got away.

Apsen put their leaves on early in spring and that supports a growth spurt in their trunk. Then later on in late August those leaves, especially those at the top of the tree, expand rapidly from the size of the palm of my hand to the size of plates.

The speed that the trunks have grown did cause a problem in 2024 with 2 larger trees snapping in the wind. I have staked about 30 of them. I know that the theory is not to stake trees as the trunks grow stronger as they are rocked by wind. However the young trees grew so big so quickly the lignin wasn't strong enough to resist the storm conditions. Since then I have not lost any other trees to wind. 

The top stand was so well established in 2025 I took the decision not to cut the bracken in 2026. The trees were above the height of the bracken so that the leaves received plenty of light. The rootstock are clearly well established and although competing for nutrients and water below the ground, it felt like a risk I could take. 

Summer 2026 and the trees have competed successfully with the bracken

When arriving at the wood the other day I saw an Aspen about waist height that had no stake or tree guard. I added both and moved on. It has only occurred to me since that that is a whip. I isn't possible that I have walked passed that sapling each time and not protected it as it is right by where I park. More evidence that the wood is now established and is self generating.