Most forests have three stages of growth:

• The pioneer stage
• The middle stage
• The final or climax stage
• See if you can tell in the stage of growth for this forest.

Try and learn the names of the different trees

A full-grown forest has five layers:

• The canopy
• The under story
• The shrub layer
• The herbal layer
• The forest floor
• Can you name all five?

If you find a tree stump and count its growth rings you will know the tree’s age.

Fungi live on rotting trees and plants Look for them on fallen logs and stumps.

Can you find signs of insects on trees? Can you find signs of woodpeckers?

Know the different signs of animal life in a forest.

• Tracks
• Scat
• Feathers, fur or snakeskins
• Nests, burrows, dens
• Bones, skeletons

Do you know what poison ivy looks like?

Know these rules of the forest

• Never light fires in a forest without adult supervision.
• Never go into the forest alone, without telling an adult first.
• Never eat any wild plants, berries or mushrooms, unless you know they are safe to eat.
• Never pull off bark, carve or make holes in a tree. Bark protects the tree from disease and insects. This will hurt the tree and may led to its death.

REMEMBER
TREES ARE LIVING THINGS.
THEY DESERVE OUR RESPECT!!