18. Aspen

Stop here and listen to the rustle of the trembling or quaking aspen overhead. As the summer breeze and fall wind move through the specially evolved leaves of the aspen, it creates a glimmer and rustle that deserves a quiet gaze.

As you listen to murmuring of the aspen stand, you may be surprised to know that the entire stand may be only one organism. A single aspen can send up enough runners to cover many acres of land.