Rarity Watch: Old-Growth Forests

Many authors occupy space on my shelves.  Wendell Berry has moved my heart, but Joan Maloof has moved my feet. After reading Maloof's "Among the Ancients" I had to go see the last remains of our Old-Growth Forests: Cathedral Woods West Virginia, George Washington Nation Forest in Virginia, Cook Forest Pennsylvania, Congaree National Park in South Carolina, and Ohio's own Johnson Woods.

Only by immersing ourselves into true Old-Growth Forests can we measure what we have lost.  These forests boast of many species and great biodiversity.  Well-fed chipmunks and birds scamper across rotting logs that are protein rich in beetle larva. The hydrology is deeper, moister. Wildflowers respond in abundance to the sponge-like humus of the forest floor. the woodland fungi run unseen, beneath the leaf-covered forest floor and bind together the rotting bark.  These fungal components of our forest play important roles in the ongoing drama.  They are the communication system called the "woods wide web."  This tree communication system draws forth nutrients and sends out signals of impending attack.  No need for Druids or sprites in a forest, the fungi help trees "talk" to each other through their entangled roots.  It may stretch our limited imaginations, but scientists are documenting this "web" in current studies.

Breath deeply in an Old-Growth Forest... the Japanese call this "deep forest bathing" of Shinrin-yoku.  The documented health benefits include lowered blood pressure, boosted immune system, stress reduction, increased energy level, and improved sleep.  You too, will probably feel better taking deep breaths in an Old-Growth Forest.  It is part of our DNA.

Ohio has but a handful of these protected forests. Mohican has the Clear Fork State Nature Preserve.  Johnson Woods near Wooster offers a peek into our past. Dysart Woods near Belmont remains lauded, but endangered by underground mining. Ohio wold benefit by setting aside more sites like these.

One walk in an Old-Growth Forest teaches anyone attuned to nature the vast difference between 100-200 year old forests and the single-species woodlots used for timber production.  Wood lots for timber production are as important as any other type of farm, but forests only begin to reach their true potential with the passage of time.

A visit to witness astounding, centuries-old trees commune in a natural Old-Growth Forest is an experience one long remembers.  Never again will you believe "woods can 'over-mature'."

Cheryl Harner

Old Growth Forest

It is not much of a secret that the Weedpicker is also a tree-hugger.  What better tribute to fall than to make a whirlwind tour of some spectacular trees and fall foliage.  Cooksville, PA was the designated location, as the home of Cooks Forest.

Giant skeletal remains of a native Chestnut tree, being admired by the ol' Weedpicker, Cheryl Harner.

 This Chestnut tree snag is located near the Forest Cathedral in Cooks Forest.  It is all that remains of the giant species which was common prior to the catastrophic Chestnut blight which swept through Pennsylvania in the 1920's.

A staircase leads to yet another portion of silent forest. 

 We first learned of this special Old Growth Forest from Joan Maloof's book, Among the Ancients.  This has been my second visit in a year, as it is but a short trip from Ohio's northeast border to see the soft layered forest floor and old growth trees.

Spectacular fall color.

 The light played through the multi-colored leaves.  What could be more enchanting?

Cheryl  and daughter, Michelle Goodman.

We both give this forest two-thumbs up for beauty, serenity and the woodland scent that makes life seem oh-so-right.

If you have not yet been to an old-growth forest pick up Joan's book, join the Old Growth Forest Network, and learn a little more about this great pleasure in life you may be missing.

We Need Trees.

Trees have been foremost on my mind, and I am pleased to announce Dr. Joan Maloof will be the keynote speaker at Flora-Quest this year.  Go here to learn about the program she recently gave at Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

We need trees, now more than ever.  And not just for lumber.  Trees clean the air and old growth forests hold moisture even during droughts.  Trees just might the the key to saving our planet- or we mere humans living on the planet.

My challenge to you today is to slow down and look, really look at the trees around you today.  Do you see how the bark varies from species to species?  Note the buds, some are skinny and pointy while others are huge honking things. Most leaves have fallen, but some of the oaks and young beech trees hold their leaves into winter.


Look. at. trees.   Birds like them, botanists adore them, and there is much we can learn from them.

It is not a choice of the economy or ecology.   Good ecological practices are good for people, and cheaper in the long run.  There are  no clean up costs to pay! 

Join me in celebrating life- just a little- and go hug a tree!   

Among the Ancients

We humans are are but short lived species, compared to some of the ancients on earth.  The term "Old Growth Forest" has many different meanings, but a general rule of thumb would be a forest that has attained significant age (pre-settlement in America) without significant disruption.  They are filled with ancient trees.

These forests are rare and unique communities, and probably less than 1%  of them remain.  Giant Sequoias certainly come to mind, but there are a few examples in our Eastern deciduous forests as well.

 Recently I have been entranced by this book listing 26 forests in the east.  You can believe I have map-quested my way to the ones within striking distance and have made plans to re-visit Ohio's representative in the book: Johnson Woods.  Yes, it is one of our Ohio State Nature Preserves.

 Joan Maloof, the author, gave a compelling program at last week's "Forest Management" seminar at Cleveland Museum of Natural History.  Not only is she a admirer of these big, bodacious trees, she is working hard to protect the last of our giants in arboreal natural history.

Old Growth Forests are rated as more beautiful.

Old Growth Forests are not only more beautiful, they are quantifiably more diverse and often protect unique organisms.  Is it any wonder some of our extinct or nearly extinct bird species (Ivory-billed Woodpeckers, Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Black-backed Woodpeckers) prefer these- now nearly extinct forests?

But is not just beauty and diversity these forests add.  They are also good for our environment.  They have enhanced hydrology and are excellent at carbon sequestration. Both are huge pluses for a world undergoing climatic change. For a long time we thought young forests were better at carbon sequestration, because young trees take up carbon at a higher rate.  However, now we know due to their additional mass, old growth trees sequester carbon just as well.

Learn more about these forests and the goal to protect our remaining ancient trees.  Joan is quick to say she has “no problem with forests set aside for production.”   However, she also believes some

“public forests should exist for more than fiber and dollars.”  

Let's work to set aside ancient forest for our children's children.  These trees can easily outlive us, but only if we protect them now.  Go here to read more about the Old Growth Forest Network.  It is truly  America's Next Idea.