Fall aspen trees near Guardsman Pass, Utah, United States

The golden season. Autumn equinox

The autumn equinox marks a turning point in the Northern Hemisphere. Occurring each September, it is the moment when the sun crosses the equator heading south, and day and night are nearly equal in length. After this celestial balance, daylight gradually shrinks as the journey towards winter begins.

Quaking aspen is Utah's state tree and one of the state's most common forest types. It grows mainly at higher elevations, often alongside spruce and fir, and spreads through root sprouts. This means a grove can contain many stems connected to one root system, forming a genetically identical clone. In autumn, the leaves turn shades of yellow and orange before falling.

Aspen has practical uses too. Its light, soft wood is used for lumber, pallets, crates, pulp and matches. The trees also provide food and shelter for wildlife, protect soils and watersheds and offer forage for animals such as elk and deer. At Guardsman Pass, their seasonal colour is a reminder that these trees are useful long after the leaves have changed.