How old is old growth forest

In Canada as one moves north there is a significant amount of ancient old-growth forest in Algonquin Park, Temagami, Algoma, and the boreal forest and yes, there is old-growth forest in the boreal, where fire cycle are sometimes, and in some places, as long as years.

It is true that the ancient forest that remains is almost never where growing conditions are best, as I described in my most recent post. Old cedar trees have 30 to 40 growth rings per inch.

This wood was good for making cedar shakes and good for wood carving because of the tight rings. Second growth cedar had growth rings of 15 to 20 rings per inch. Cannot be used for cedar shakes or carving. Fir trees also had really tight growth rings. Do you know the growing conditions of the old versus the second growth? It seems when they are growing in a pioneering situation, they grow much faster…hence the fewer rings.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. The diverse structure of an old-growth forest You might think, five years after publishing a book about old-growth forests, that I could easily tell you what an old-growth forest is. He groups old-growth forest definitions into four categories: Definitions that emphasize lack of disturbance by humans at least post-colonization ; there are abundant old trees some of which are approaching the maximum old-age for the species.

Definitions that use a minimum age typically around years combined with presence of old-growth characteristics such as logs, snags standing dead trees , canopy gaps etc. Definitions that emphasize stand development , in particular climax forest — that is, the forest is in a stable state where trees are dying of old age and being replaced, and may continue to be stable for centuries. Definitions that use an economic threshold. Old-growth stands are past the economic optimum for harvesting — usually between years, depending on the species.

A new forest begins Categories one and three describe very old, undisturbed forest. Trees grow rapidly, competing for light The solution to the apparent contradiction is that old-growth forest is not an end point, but a continuum. Growth begins to slow Some jurisdictions have adopted official definitions in order to implement old-growth forest policies. The characteristics of old-growth forest may include: As trees die, gaps form in the canopy large diameter logs and snags old trees openings in the forest canopy undisturbed soil layers uneven forest floor , characterized by pits and mounds left by windthrown trees multiple vegetation layers, from understorey and shrub to canopy and supercanopy high diversity in the herbaceous layer lichen and fungus abundance and diversity late-successional shade tolerant tree species absence of human disturbance The forest is uneven-aged with abundant dead wood.

This may take years. A huge yellow birch stump is evidence of logging. Enter your email address if you would like a reply:. The information on this form is collected under the authority of Sections 26 c and 27 1 c of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to help us assess and respond to your enquiry. Questions about the collection of information can be directed to the Manager of Corporate Web , Government Digital Experience Division.

I consent. Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to side navigation Accessibility Statement. Home Farming, natural resources and industry Forestry Forest Stewardship. Section Navigation. Sustainable Forest Management Practices. Forest Inventory. Forest health. Old Growth Forests.

Strategic review of old growth forest management. Work Underway. Old Growth Values. Deferral Areas. Old Growth Cumulative Effects Reporting. Soil Conservation. Why are old growth forests important? Old growth forests play essential roles in wildlife habitat, species diversity, hydrological regimes, nutrient cycles, carbon storage, and numerous other ecological processes. They have unique structures and attributes that provide habitat for plant and animal species, such as lichen, bats, birds and mammals that are not found in other forest types.

Old growth forests inspire a sense of awe, offer recreation, and have spiritual values. What are old growth forests? There are many different definitions of old growth, in part because old growth looks different in ecosystems across the world where productivity, species, and disturbances drive differences in stand development. Most definitions focus on age and forest structures including large trees, signs of decay, multilayered canopies, canopy gaps, snags, and large downed logs.

Tree size alone is not a marker of old growth. High productivity stands may have large, relatively young trees. Like all forests, old growth forests are affected by disturbances.

Old growth forests are part of the ever-changing ecosystem and are the result of forest development.