I’ve spent a lot of time in wild places over the years. Something I’ve noticed is this:
Humans are place-based creatures. We thrive when we feel connected to certain landscapes.
I’ve also noticed that one of the best ways to develop this connection is to learn what makes each place unique.
Lately, I’ve been exploring mature and old-growth forests, and I’ve wondered:
What trees live here? How old are they? What do they do all day? Do they care that I’m filming them?
More recently, I’ve been wondering something else: How tall can these trees grow?
It’s a question that leads to an interesting realization: Forests in eastern North America are known for their exceptional biodiversity, but none of the trees that grow in these forests attain the heights that the tallest trees out west reach.
Why is this the case? Is it a lack of rain? Is it the soil? Or are there other factors involved?
In the following video, I dive into the topic of why eastern forests don’t have 300-foot giants.