Despite aspen’s potential to partner and counterfoil Sitka spruce, it is still rarely used by commercial forestry enterprises. Here Jim Knight, Landscape and Environment Advisor to Forest Direct Ltd, explores its potential and explains why Forest Direct is investing in its sustainability and committing to planting more aspen in 2021/2022.
Aspen, formally known as Populus tremula, is a fascinating but underused native tree. In the right location, it is incredibly vigorous and supports a wide variety of wildlife species. It is also highly palatable, which may help to explain its rarity in the natural environment. Along with its American cousin (Populus tremuloides), aspen has an extensive distribution in the northern hemisphere and is often associated with conifer forests. It can grow in soils with low nutrient levels and is able to fix nitrogen through its root associations to the benefit of other plants nearby.
Commercial forestry needs to diversify, and Forest Direct believes that aspen has great potential in its own right and as a potential partner and counterfoil for Sitka spruce. However, sources of supply and genetic diversity can be a problem as aspen does not set seed as reliably as many other species.
Pioneering work by social enterprise Eadha Enterprises is securing a sustainable source of aspen from within Scotland. Forest Direct has placed an order with Eadha Enterprises for 15,000 trees to be planted in 2021/22 across the South of Scotland and North of England, and we look forward to sharing our progress with you as we get more aspen in the ground.
If you are interested in finding out more about aspen and how it could form part of your woodland creation or woodland enhancement plan, please get in touch.
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