Site identification for Bigtooth Aspen Sucker Stands

Bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata) is an upland species that reaches its best development on relatively moist, loamy and sandy soils. Following logging of this tree, reproduction is almost invariably by root suckers which, in clear-cuttings, appear in profusion. Because these suckers are supported by the fully developed root systems of the parent trees, they grow at an almost unbelievably rapid rate on both good and poor sites. As a result it is impossible to recognize site quality from their growth rate alone. For this reason other indicators of site are needed in order to judge the potentialities of sucker stands