One of the first questions that might be asked after looking at this new, but still dense stand of aspen, is, “Aren’t you just eliminating too many old aspen and replacing them with too many new aspen?” Over time, this area will thin itself. Ideally, the stand would consist of mixed-age classes, but in the meantime, this new stand will “fire proof” the area because of its’ low burn potential, and will provide important forage for wildlife.

In addition, standing, dead aspen may seem odd, but they are an important component of a diverse ecosystem. Logs and snags provide critical habitat for a variety of forest birds, and downed wood attracts a variety of insects upon which small mammals and birds prey. Eventually the snags will decay and fall, and without subsequent fire or treatment projects, the area would succeed once again to an overgrown mixed-conifer forest and the aspen would be outcompeted.

Dead, standing trees provide important habitat for birds and small mammals.