# @nationalparkservice on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Dez2yOYnZqc
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/75887309-nationalparkservice-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/b5a9f81fc0.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-10-22T20:36:30.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** National Park Service (@nationalparkservice) — https://gondola.cc/nationalparkservice

## Caption

“This is an aspen. You can tell that it’s an aspen tree because of the way it is.” — Lenny Pepperbottom

And frankly, that’s a pretty good place to start.

Aspens are recognizable by their smooth, white bark, often marked with dark scars where lower branches have naturally been shed. It’s called self-pruning, which sounds like a useful life skill but mostly involves the tree getting rid of its own limbs.

As aspens grow, their lower branches may die off as the tree directs resources toward new growth higher up. The resulting black marks give the trunk its distinctive appearance, like someone tried to erase a tree with a pencil and gave up halfway through.

Their leaves are another giveaway. Flattened leaf stalks allow them to tremble in the slightest breeze, which is why aspens are also known as quaking aspens. They’re not frightened. Probably. Finally, Aspen trees are famous for turning a brilliant golden-yellow each fall. 

Have you seen an Aspen in the wild? You can tell because of the way it is…in the fall. 

Neat!

NPS Photos

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 69,091
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- **Comments:** 176

## Credits

These are the roles credited on Gondola. Credits may be incomplete.
A brand, account owner, or featured person is not necessarily the creator.

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| National Park Service | @nationalparkservice | https://gondola.cc/nationalparkservice | Government Organization |

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