What is an 'Old Grove' Forest

An old grove forest (more accurately known as an old-growth forest) is a forest that has developed over a long period of time—often hundreds or even thousands of years—without significant disturbance such as logging, agriculture, or major fires. These forests are rare and ecologically rich, often considered the most biologically diverse and complex ecosystems on land.

Key Characteristics of an Old-Growth Forest:

• Very large, old trees: Often centuries old and of varying species.

• Multi-layered canopy: Including tall trees, understory trees, shrubs, and ground cover.

• Dead trees and fallen logs: Both standing (called snags) and fallen, providing habitat and nutrients.

• Rich biodiversity: Home to rare and endangered plants, fungi, insects, birds, and mammals.

• Undisturbed soil: With complex fungal networks and carbon-rich layers built up over time.

• Natural regeneration: Trees regenerate naturally through seed dispersal, rather than planting.

Why They Matter:

• Carbon storage: Vital for climate stability.

• Biodiversity havens: Refuge for species that can't survive in managed forests.

• Water filtration: They protect watersheds and purify water sources.

• Cultural and spiritual significance: Especially to Indigenous peoples and conservationists.

In short, an old-growth forest is nature's cathedral—ancient, wild, and deeply important to both the planet and the human spirit.

Here are 10 remarkable old-growth forests around the world, including several from Canada, known for its vast and ancient wilderness:

1. Great Bear Rainforest – British Columbia, Canada

• One of the largest coastal temperate rainforests in the world

• Home to the rare white "Spirit Bear" (Kermode bear)

• Protected through agreements with Indigenous Nations and conservation groups

2. Avatar Grove – Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

• Famous for massive Western Red Cedars and Douglas firs

• Nicknamed for its otherworldly beauty

• Easily accessible near Port Renfrew

3. Daanbantayan Old-Growth Forest – Palawan, Philippines

• A lesser-known but highly biodiverse tropical forest

• Threatened by mining and logging

• Home to endemic species and limestone karst ecosystems

4. Tane Mahuta Forest – Waipoua Forest, New Zealand

• Home to Tāne Mahuta, the largest living Kauri tree (estimated 2,000 years old)

• Sacred to the Māori people

• Rare example of ancient subtropical rainforest

5. Clayoquot Sound – British Columbia, Canada

• UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

• Rich in cedar, fir, and hemlock

• Site of famous 1990s logging protests that helped protect old growth

6. Białowieża Forest – Poland/Belarus

• Europe’s last primeval forest

• Home to European bison

• UNESCO World Heritage Site with sections untouched for over 8,000 years

7. Yakushima Forest – Japan

• Ancient cedar forest with trees over 7,000 years old

• Inspiration for Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke

• Misty, mossy, and deeply spiritual

8. Temagami Forest – Ontario, Canada

• One of the last remaining stands of old-growth red and white pine

• Culturally significant to the Teme-Augama Anishnabai

• A battleground for Indigenous and environmental activism

9. Daintree Rainforest – Queensland, Australia

• One of the oldest tropical rainforests on Earth (estimated 180 million years)

• Coexists with the Great Barrier Reef

• Home to ancient plant lineages and endangered cassowaries

10. Tongass National Forest – Alaska, USA

• The largest national forest in the U.S.

• Temperate rainforest with giant Sitka spruce and hemlock

• Critical habitat for salmon, bears, and bald eagles

COPYRIGHT 2007-2025 Patti Friday b.1959.