The Fort Nelson Aboriginal Project © copyright 1998 School District 81

Trees - Aspen

 


The Aspen is very common in the Fort Nelson Area and all over Northern B.C. Aboriginal people use it in several ways:

Sap
o sapped in July sweet and juicy
o used it for bait for beaver
o used for medicine
[Bark was cut off to make a bowl and sap was scraped into it]
o body cleansing [when eaten]
o applied to dry skin

Bark
o bark for toys (boat, bars, etc.)
o fire starter [when dry]

 

 

 

 

aspen
Photograph provided by Larry Burke

Leaves
o leaves were spread on the ground and used as a floor if
spruce boughs were not close by

Trunk
o
firewood
o
rafts [good "floating wood"]
o white ashes mixed with grease used as soap


aspen
Photograph provided by Larry Burke
 

 

 

 

What animal left its marks on the trunk of the Aspen?

[click on the picture to see a larger version or click here for the answer]