Aspen Glow
- Linda Crider
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
When I first moved to Arizona from the east coast nearly 40 years ago, I was so downcast over the change in landscape going from the lush green I grew up around to the sparse, dry desert. Then, on my first trip from Phoenix to Flagstaff I recall getting an immediate and huge emotional lift when spotting a group of ASPEN trees showing themselves in all their golden autumn glory along the highway. I've since grown to appreciate the diverse terrain this state has to offer, but my Aspen moment is what sparked the positive transition.
One thing I discovered about the Aspen is that an entire grove of these trees is said to emerge from a root system that originates with one mother tree! This concept of the oldest tree in a forest establishing an underground network of parenting and nurturing all of the surrounding trees and vegetation is one that forest ecologist Dr. Suzanne Simard introduced and began promoting around ten years ago. The project that sprang from this idea of tree/plant communication and cooperation doesn't just call attention to the need for sustainable environmental practices. It also provides a valuable lesson for all of us in maintaining positive, give and take community relations.
Focusing specifically here on Aspen trees, various Native American tribes have also found them to be a source of both internal and topical healing medicine as well as food. Modern herbalists continue some of these same traditions. They suggest boiling the bark to make a decoction (the liquid left after straining the boiled plant material) that can treat inflammation and fever internally while it can also be used topically to relieve various skin conditions.
The distinctive, white bark of Aspen trees make them very similar in appearance to Birch trees with the subtle differences being in bark texture, the size of the trunk, and the shape of the leaves.
Birches are not very common in my state, but we do have our share of what are referred to as "quaking Aspens." This is due to the delicate leaves that tremble in the wind, emitting gentle soothing whispers that nature lovers find quite healing.
Along with other trees such as Oak, Elm, and Crab Apple, Aspens attracted the attention of Dr. Edward Bach due this very tendency to quiver with the slightest breeze. He included this tree in his 38 Flower Essence healing system for its vibrational ability to restore emotional balance to those sensitive, fragile types who frighten easily and suffer from unknown, vague apprehension. In his words, an individual "who may be terrified of something terrible going to happen, he knows not what." FYI, this can be a safe, non-invasive remedy for pets who exhibit these same qualities of unexplained nervousness and anxiety.
The Aspen is another tree that was included in the ancient Celtic Ogham alphabet, and Aspens have been mentioned and portrayed in literature and art. If you take a close look at paintings such as Georgia O'Keefe's "Aspen Perspectives" you can almost see and hear movement in the dense amber foliage.
"Quivering aspens" contribute to the setting and mood in Alfred Tennyson's Lady of Shalott, and an entire poem by UK military poet Edward Thomas is dedicated to them:
The aspens at the cross-roads talk together
Of rain, until their last leaves fall from the top
~taken from the poem Aspens by Edward Thomas, 1915
(Okay, I can't help but point out the suggestion in these lines about plants "discussing" the weather with each other.)
After numerous visits to Flagstaff's famous Aspens forests, I've experienced them in
all seasonal phases. We took this photo back in late October 2016, and it reminds me of the above words from the Thomas poem. You can see that a few golden leaves remained on a single tree while most of "their last leaves" had fallen "from the top" along the roadside. As I write this post, I know this same Aspen forest has been recently covered by the first winter snow, rendering these slender trunks and branches quietly elegant until they bud again in the spring.
As always, thanks for letting me share my thoughts and journey with you. I welcome your input, so if you want to submit a comment, scroll down to the bottom of this post. If you are interested in booking a personal session, you can do this here:
You can also contact me via email at: my.plant.allies@gmail.com
For now, here's wishing you wellness, wisdom and bloomin' vibes!
Thank you for your interesting & valuable posts, and Thank you also for your frugality- it is so rare to sign up for a site and not be overwhelmed with too many emails. Loved the tree alphabet info.