Shades of Green: Earth's Forests -- Temperate Rain Forest

Above: Looking up at a Western redcedar, which could be 600 years old or more. Right: The rotting stump of an ancient tree is marked with holes created by insects living within the wood. Photos by Maya Walters.

Temperate rainforests grow in the cool, moist climate of North America's west coast -- Washington State, Oregon, British Columbia. Natural, un-logged temperate rainforests are referred to as "old-growth" forests, since the trees are both ancient and very large. These trees are primarily giant conifers -- Sitka spruce, Western hemlock, Western redcedar, Douglas-fir. Many are over 500 years old. There are always some younger trees in old growth forests as well.

When an ancient tree falls, it creates an opening where sunlight can reach the forest floor, and new tree seedlings begin to grow. In the moist environment, fungi and bacteria begin to break down the fallen log, creating a perfect site for seedlings.

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