There's bigger and older trees as we get up on top of this ridge and farther away from the logging grade. Landenberger, a former U.S. Forest Service employee, pointed out one old black birch tree. That's how you can tell it's old. When trees get old, you can often tell simply by look at the bark. Hiking along a narrow trail, Landenberger pointed out the classic characteristics of old-growth forests.
Old trees grow tall, with long trunks free of low branches.
Upper limbs spread out horizontally from the trunks. Fallen, decomposing logs crisscross the forest floor. There are gaps in the canopy from trees that have fallen. There's an abundance of fungi and lichen. Logs in a stream form pools and rapids that create habitat for fish and other aquatic life.