This species can form steady state forests under certain conditions, but is more important as a post fire invader. It regenerates almost totally from root sprouts instead of by seeds. Stands may burn frequently, but extremely hot fires can damage or destroy roots. It is typically found on finer, more calcareous soils than lodgepole pine and appears to have a broader range of environmental tolerances than does lodgepole pine (Peet, 1988). In southern Colorado and northern New Mexico where lodgepole pine is absent, P. tremuloides is the ecological analogue of lodgepole pine, but with a more herbaceous understory (Peet, 1978).

This type typically has a well developed understory of mesophytic forbs and grasses. It is often replaced by stands of more shade tolerant species such as A. lasiocarpa, P. engelmannii, or P. menziesii. This type often forms the transition form steppe or shrubland to forest on western slopes in the southern Rockies (Peet, 1988). This type plays a successional role on a range of sites between 2100m and 3350m, especially on the wettest sites and rocky or xeric sites in the Rocky Mountain National Park area.

Because of the wide environmental tolerances of this species and it's role as a post fire invader, it is found in association with a great number of shrubs and grasses on a variety of different sites. Common tree associates also include most of the montane forest species, including A. lasiocarpa, P. contorta, P. ponderosa, P. flexilis, P. menziesii, P. engelmannii, A. concolor, P. pungens, and J. scopulorum (Alexander, 1987).