A forest characterized by large and old trees, a multi-layered canopy, and significant accumulations of coarse woody debris like snags and fallen logs. Because it has escaped severe logging or catastrophic fire for a very long time, it supports specialized wildlife and complex soil structures.
Heard on the job
The environmental assessment requires a buffer zone to protect the old-growth forest bordering the creek.
Also heard as
- primary forest
- virgin forest
Do not mix it up with
- Second-growth forest: Old-growth has never been commercially harvested, while second-growth is regenerating after a previous cut.
Related terms
Second-growth forest
A woodland area that has regrown after a major timber harvest or natural stand-replacing event.
Stand
A contiguous group of trees uniform enough to be managed as a single unit.
Canopy
The continuous upper layer of foliage and branches in a forest.
DWD
Down woody debris, referring to fallen dead wood on the forest floor.