Eastern Old-Growth Forests Are More Than Old TreesThe Science and History of the Movement and What

Old trees and old-growth forests are currently riding a wave of interest in the scientific world and in culture. Old trees and forests evoke mystery and a call back to earlier times. An appeal of ancient forests is the presence of large trees in one mind’s eye. Excitingly, there is more old-growth forest in the eastern US than thought just a few decades ago. While this is partly due to new perceptions, Dr. Pederson argues that the increase is also due to a combination in the application of growing environmental and ecological sensitivities from the late-1800s, a rational tick to old-growth forest definitions, and time. The value of old-growth forests for people might be fairly obvious. Less obvious is their value to science.

Dr. Pederson will talk about the history of eastern old-growth forests, how tree-ring analysis helped us see overlooked
forests, and how old tree and forests help us learn more about the ecological world. Lastly, pictorial examples of some rediscoveries in the region, including Connecticut, will wrap up the evening.

Dr. Neil Pederson is a forest ecologist who has studied trees and old-growth forests across the eastern US and in five regions of Asia over the past 35 years. He has degrees in math, forest biology, forestry, and in earth science, earning his Ph.D. from Columbia University. He was an assistant professor at Eastern Kentucky University and research scientist at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and the Harvard Forest. Currently, he is Highstead Research Affiliate here in Connecticut and a consulting scientist with the Old-Growth Forest Network. He grew up near the Adirondack Mountain State Park and is extremely happy to call Maynard, MA home.

The event is free to attend. Registration is required.

Greenwich Tree Conservancy in partnership with the Town of Greenwich Conservation Commission