A unique phenomenon has appeared in Jasper National Park after the 2024 wildfire.
The locals call them “cheetah” or “leopard” trees after their spotted black and yellow appearance, and they’re the result of an explosive release of heat and pressure courtesy of the moisture that hides behind the thin outer bark of lodgepole pine trees.
“The first time I saw them I thought maybe it was a woodpecker flaking the bark off burned trees, but that’s not actually what’s happening,” says Jasper National Park Resource Conservation Manager David Argument.
“In an intense fire situation, the moisture in the sapwood beneath the bark, which can have quite high moisture content, is heated to steam so quickly that it turns into steam explosively and flakes off those patches of bark.”
The unique marks are a result of an explosive release of heat and pressure courtesy of the moisture that hides behind the thin outer bark of lodgepole pine trees. (Connor O’Donovan/The Weather Network)
SEE ALSO: Burned forests in Jasper park showing signs of life ahead of winter freeze
High winds and fire-generated air flows likely also blew off loose bark as the wildfire made its way through the forest.
Want to see them for yourself?
The cat-like treeflex can be seen in easily accessible areas like Annette Lake and on the road to Marmot Basin.
Jasper National Park officials are reminding visitors that fire burn areas do have hazards, though, like unstable ground, burned-out holes, and falling tree branches.
They advise visitors to only stop their vehicles in designated pullouts and parking lots and to remain on trails.
Visitors hoping to see these ‘cheetah trees’ are advised to only stop their vehicles in designated pullouts and parking lots and to remain on trails. (Connor O’Donovan/The Weather Network)
DON’T MISS: Why winter risks for moose collisions are higher
More than 32,000 hectares of forest burned during the 2024 Jasper wildfire, which started in July and raged for weeks before it was brought under control in September.
That forest will take decades to completely regenerate, but new signs of life can already be seen. New grasses and shrubs have sprouted, and familiar wildlife like deer, elk, and mountain goats can once again be found grazing near the Jasper townsite.
A female elk is seen foraging on a chilly morning just outside of the Jasper townsite. (Connor O’Donovan/The Weather Network)
Ultimately, the fire will prove beneficial for the forest as it regenerates tree stands throughout the park, creating a more diverse tree canopy that will support Jasper’s diverse mountain ecosystem.