Pando
60”w x 36”h
Collage: acrylic, paper, photos, ink, charcoal, pencil on cradled wood panel
In the ground, under a forest of beautiful Quaking Aspens in central Utah, is one of the largest and oldest organisms in the WORLD.
Its name is Pando – an enormous 106 acre grove of 47,000 genetically identical aspen trees, sharing one root system that originates from a single, 13 million pound, underground “parent”.
I first became aware of Pando after perusing the annual alumni magazine from Utah State University. Researchers at my alma mater were studying this incredible “forest of one tree”. It exists in south-central Utah, not far from where my father would take us fishing. I had no idea it existed, this record-breaking ancient organism, and the oldest and largest tree on earth.
How could I not be inspired by Pando? A living example of how seemingly separate beings are all interconnected with a shared DNA? Right up my alley of interest.
Its name is Pando – an enormous 106 acre grove of 47,000 genetically identical aspen trees, sharing one root system that originates from a single, 13 million pound, underground “parent”.
I first became aware of Pando after perusing the annual alumni magazine from Utah State University. Researchers at my alma mater were studying this incredible “forest of one tree”. It exists in south-central Utah, not far from where my father would take us fishing. I had no idea it existed, this record-breaking ancient organism, and the oldest and largest tree on earth.
How could I not be inspired by Pando? A living example of how seemingly separate beings are all interconnected with a shared DNA? Right up my alley of interest.
︎ you say potato...
My grandfather was a potato farmer in Idaho. I loved to visit the farm and play in the huge potato cellar. I couldn’t resist the similarity between pando and a sprouting potato, so I just went with it. I also added a few farmers to this piece in honor of my grandfather.
︎ the oldest tree
︎ the trembling giant
“Pando” is Latin for “I spread”. It has also been nicknamed “The Trembling Giant” for the shimmering effect of Quaking Aspen leaves in the breeze.
It was also designated the Utah State Tree in 2014.
The sad news is Pando may be dying.
After almost a million years of growth, Pando is shrinking due to environmental issues...mostly from years of elk and mule deer eating the new saplings. The Fishlake National Forest is working on fencing off areas to protect the world’s oldest tree.