The oldest verified fossil for a freshwater version of the salmon is 50 million years old. Five to six million years ago salmon had fangs, weighed 500 pounds, and were ten feet long. Donkey Creek in Gig Harbor, Washington, a salmon spawning area. Photo taken by Lindsey Spadoni. Salmon, like people and many other animals, depend upon trees to give them life.
Trees provide shade for salmon, keeping the water cool.
Fallen trees slow the flow of water, keeping eggs from drifting away. Fallen trees also create wonderful resting pools and shelter for migrating salmon. They provide a natural habitat for salmon, and so salmon depend on them. See the section on threats to salmon to read about habitat destruction .