Old-Growth Forests: Trees of Great Age

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.