Editing Populus sect. Populus (section)

==Ecology==
Aspens do not thrive very well in the shade, and it is difficult for aspen seedlings to grow in an already mature aspen stand. Fire indirectly benefits aspen trees, since it allows the saplings to flourish in open sunlight in the burned landscape. Lately, aspens have an increased popularity in forestry, mostly because of their fast growth rate and ability to regenerate from sprouts, making the [[reforestation]] after harvesting much cheaper, since no planting or [[sowing]] is required.

In contrast with many trees, aspen [[Bark (botany)|bark]] is base-rich, meaning that aspens are important hosts for [[bryophytes]]<ref>[http://www.cairngorms.co.uk/resource/docs/publications/05042007/CNPA.Paper.440.Aspen%20Report.txt The Biodiversity and Management of Aspen woodlands: Proceedings of a one-day conference held in Kingussie, Scotland, on 25th May 2001]</ref> and act as food plants for the [[larvae]] of butterfly ([[Lepidoptera]]) species—see List of Lepidoptera that feed on poplars.

Young aspen bark is an important seasonal forage for the [[european hare]] and other animals in early spring. Aspen is also a tree of choice of the [[european beaver]].