Controlling invasive aspen in a prairie - Ask Extension
Hi. I have several acres of restored prairie in Olmsted County. Between the prairie and my house, there is a nice grove of mixed deciduous trees, incl...
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Controlling invasive aspen in a prairie #868745
Asked May 16, 2024, 2:53 PM EDT
Hi. I have several acres of restored prairie in Olmsted County. Between the prairie and my house, there is a nice grove of mixed deciduous trees, including a number of large aspen. Of course, the aspen have been sending suckers into the prairie and are becoming quite thick. I burned the prairie on April 10, so now I have many small saplings (2-3 feet high) that appear dead (i.e., no leaf growth as of today, May 16. Is it safe to cut these dead saplings down or would that spur more sucker growth (which is what happens when live aspen suckers are cut)? I'm thinking of installing a root barrier to better control these suckers. Any tips on that idea would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
- Maynard
Olmsted County Minnesota
Expert Response
According to experts at the U.S. Forest Service, burning stimulates aspen sucker growth, so it should be expected whether you cut the saplings or not.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/beauty/aspen/ecology.shtml#:~:text=Although%20aspen%20forests%20do%20not,single%20acre%20after%20a%20fire.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/beauty/aspen/ecology.shtml#:~:text=Although%20aspen%20forests%20do%20not,single%20acre%20after%20a%20fire.
