Sarah provided the introduction:  Ben Dubois is in for Ben Roe!  And he is very well versed on this topic. Ben is a Prescott Native, Forestry Graduate of NAU with 13 years working for the Forestry Service, 7 in Prescott.   Ben explained that aspens are one of the most common species of tree in the U.S. They are related to poplars and are found throughout the country. They are greeted as both desirable trees and as like weeds depending on the region. In AZ the White Mtns have the most aspens. Yavapai County has about 80 acres, some off of Copper Basin rd.  Aspens spread via roots and are genetic clones. They grow relatively fast if they have water and sunlight. They are short lived (app. +/-100 yrs). They are dependent on “disturbances” such as fire to open an area where they will grow. As such they are great regenerators of burn areas. They are susceptible to a host of diseases and insects: cankers, root disease, bark beetles, oyster shell scale and more. They provide both habitat diversity for nesting birds and “Aspen Ice Cream” for the elk who love to eat them. One challenge is S.A.D. (Sudden Aspen Decline) which they don’t always know the cause. Foresters evaluate the trees and make recommendations. Diagnosis for the SW is bleak, but positive in the Prescott National Forest. Treatments include thinning/clearing around them (Releasing the Aspen) to allow new growth, sometimes high fencing to counter the elk. There are several treatment projects underway or pending: Aspen Creek Project under the N. AZ. Forest Fund, Gaddes Timber Sale, Francis Steward Project and the Hassayampa Landscape Restoration Project.