An old growth forest, late serial forest or ancient woodland is a woods of great age that exhibits very unique biological features. Depending on tree species and forest type, the age can be from 150 to 500 years. The concept is a bit confusing so I have written this brief profile of an old growth forest.
The Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is one of the best examples of old growth timber in the eastern United States. It exists because of a lucky series of events that led to the preservation of the wilderness.
The ancient or old growth forest also has a mystical quality. Some suggest that trees are sentient beings in ancient forests. Maybe. This spiritual description is simply for fun, subject to much conjecture and laughable to many foresters and scientists. Still, when entering an ancient forest, I have always felt a certain sense of awe and inspiration - like standing among Tolkien's ents.
Readers Can Respond: Do You Believe Trees Have a Spirit and Are Sentient Beings?
Joyce Kilmer Wilderness - Steve Nix/About.com Photo
Source: http://forestry.about.com/b/2011/06/24/old-growth-forest-and-ancient-woodlands.htm
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