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Pole-size aspen stand in Northern MN (2005, A. Ek, University of Minnesota)

This Aspen Management Guide provides essential and optional information for managing stands that are predominately aspen (both quaking and bigtooth) and/or balsam poplar as well as stands that contain a mix of other species as well. This guide also helps you describe the actual conditions of your stand and choose the appropriate management examples given your management objectives. Also available here are numerous links to basic information about forest management, options in management, habitat benefits, treatment costs, and economic returns.

Why the interest in aspen?

Extent across the region:

• Quaking aspen has a transcontinental range and is the most widely distributed tree species in North America.
• The aspen forest type has steadily declined over the last century but continues to be one of the most dominant cover types with over 10 million acres in the Lake States.
• Nearly 50 percent of aspen forest land in the Lake States are privately owned.
• Stands are typically 5-20 acres in size. Larger stands are found on public and industry lands.

Aspen roundwood (M. Ostry, USDA FS Northern Research Station)

Recreation and wildlife habitat:

• Aspen is highly valued from an aesthetic standpoint.
• Value as wildlife habitat varies considerably with stand age, density, and mix of other tree species.
• Provides thermal cover, protection and nesting habitat for wildlife.
• Provides important habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and showshoe hare, as well as a variety of songbirds.
• Provides important browse for moose and white-tailed deer.
• Older and more open stands allow for understory development, increased biodiversity, and increased overall habitat value.

Economics:

• Low planting and site preparation costs with traditional aspen management.
• Most of the aspen cover type volume is from the dominant species.
• There is considerable aspen volume in other cover types as well.
• Aggressive self-thinning may reduce or eliminate the need for precommercial and/or commercial thinning.

Thinned aspen stand near Grand Rapids, MN (A. EK, UMN Forest Resources)

Management:

• Prolific root suckering following harvest.
• Tree improvement research has led to numerous improved aspen seed orchards across the region and considerable knowledge of species genetics.
• Maximum fiber yields per acre per year are obtained over rotations of 30-70 years (depending on site and clones).
• Precommercial or commercial thinning optional in dense stands or to expand clones.
• Economic rotations are 30-70 years (roughly).