New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx in Bronx County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Old-Growth Forests: Trees of Great Age
Notice how the trees around you differ in shape and size.
The Thain Family Forest is an old-growth forest, having survived for thousands of years although nearly all of the historic woodland that once covered much of New York City was cleared for farm and settlements beginning in the 17th century. Today less than one percent of the woodland in the northeastern United States is considered old growth. Old-growth forests, while subject to natural and human disturbances, are generally resilient.
All around you are indicators of this forest's age. Many distinguished old trees, some over 200 years old grow alongside young and middle-aged specimens. In forestry terms, this is defined as a med-aged forest stand.
To identify trees of great age, look for trees with large trunks (generally meaning more than 30 inches in diameter), shaggy or peeling bark, and buttressed roots (exposed roots that project from the tree's trunk and help keep it upright). As older trees die or blow over in storms, a gap in the canopy opens that allows other trees to grow.
The Thain Family Forest is part of the Old-Growth Forest Network Forests in the network will forever be protected from logging and open to the public.
Erected by New
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era • Horticulture & Forestry • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 40° 51.89′ N, 73° 52.515′ W. Marker is in Bronx, New York, in Bronx County. It is in New York Botanical Garden. It is on Spicebush Trail south of Bronx Park Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 133 Bronx Park Rd, Bronx NY 10458, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Southern Arrowwood (within shouting distance of this marker); American Elm (within shouting distance
Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 125 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 10, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
