ASPEN TREE BUDS

Sure seems like the green Aspen leaves are 'a long time coming', but maybe I forget from year to year. Every day I visit my favorite stand of Aspens,
cheering them along, hoping to speed-up the process.

Today, for the first time, I noticed 'pussy willow' like buds on a few of the trees. Turns out these only grow on the male Aspens.

Male Aspens?
Female Aspens?
Who knew?
Not me?

I can't help but wonder?
Do they mate for life?