Franz Liszt wrote a concert etude for solo piano which goes by the name “Forest Murmurs.” He allegedly explained that he wanted listeners to be aware of the wind blowing through the forest and rustling the leaves.
Here in the Great Lakes Region, we hear forest murmurs often, when even the slightest breeze rustle the leaves of aspen trees. And there is a reason. In most trees, the petioles, the little stalks that attach a leaf to a twig, are round.
Those of aspen trees are long and flat and rigid. These flat petioles attach to the leaf at a 90-degree angle and they also are somewhat elastic so when the wind blows, the leaves flutter.
Apparently, the ability to flutter has a number of survival benefits. The fluttering absorbs much of the force of the wind. Also, fluttering increases photosynthesis because both the tops and undersides of the leaves are exposed to sunlight.
Finally, the quaking leaves seem to deter herbivores — deer come to mind — from feeding on the leaves.
Around here, we call them quaking and trembling aspen which suggests fear and trepidation. But when the wind blows and our forests murmur, the rustling aspen leaves shimmer with survival adaptations.
