Pando (tree)

Pando (from Latin pando 'I spread') is the name of a quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) clone located in Sevier County, Utah, United States, in the Fishlake National Forest. A male clonal organism, Pando has an estimated 47,000 stems (ramets) that appear to be individual trees but are genetically identical parts of a single tree connected by a root system that spans 42.8 ha (106 acres). As a multi-stem tree, Pando is the world's largest tree by measures of weight, landmass and species, and is generally held to be the world's single largest organism by weight. Systems of classification used to define large trees vary considerably, leading to some confusion about Pando's status. Within the United States, the Official Register of Champion Trees defines the largest trees in a species-specific way; in this case, Pando is the largest aspen tree (Populus tremuloides). In forestry, the largest trees are measured by the greatest volume of a single stem, regardless of species. In that case, the General Sherman Tree is the largest unitary (single-stem) tree. While many emphasize that Pando is the largest clonal organism, other large trees, including redwoods can also reproduce via cloning. Pando being the heaviest tree and the largest tree by landmass, while also being the largest aspen clone, leaves it in a class of its own. Friends of Pando and the Fishlake National Forest partner to study and protect Pando, working alongside the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Notable organizations that also study and advocate to protect Pando's care include the Western Aspen Alliance and Grand Canyon Trust.