I will always choose a dirt path over pavement. When you’re surrounded by nature, especially old, undisturbed surroundings, you can feel the tendrils of the trees reach out to you, if only you could slow down long enough to connect. Old forests in particular have had many decades, even centuries, to mature in their wisdom, and I find it incredibly soothing and invigorating to be among them. If being in a "normal" forest is amazing (which it is), being in an old growth forest is incredible!
The term “old-growth” has a bit of discussion around it. There is actually no scientific consensus on how to define old growth and mature trees. According to the Old-Growth Forest Network, an old-growth forest is one in which the habitat has not been disturbed by logging for hundreds or thousands of years. For some foresters, however, this can actually mean a secondary tree growth after a forest was cut for logging (some say around the time of the Civil War, but at least 100 years ago).
In general, though, the habitat is one with not just very old trees, but what comes from that: a great many plants and animals who live among the tree canopies and fallen logs, and also leaf litter. Old-growth forests excel at creating topsoil rather than depleting it, capturing carbon and nitrogen, and filtering water - which is so important for us living with climate change. We have to remember that nature works on a long timeline. Unless a natural disaster such as fire, tornadoes or invasive pests/species arrive, the work of a forest happens slowly, which is why it’s so important to protect these areas.
My love of trees and forests goes beyond just appreciating their beauty and the role they play in nature. I also happen to believe that trees have individual spirits, and like people have different personalities and qualities. I also know, from personal experience, that being with trees can help you heal emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. This is not so far fetched, you know. Science has been documenting the energy fields of trees and other plants for decades now! And Eastern medicine, including teachings from the Tao, have spoken of the health benefits of being around trees for thousands of years.
Have you ever been drawn to a certain tree, one that makes you feel better just from standing near it, or by sitting at its roots and being still? Imagine that ten-fold from an old-growth forest, where the tree spirits have been allowed to live undisturbed for 100+ years. There's a lot of wisdom that comes from being that old, and if we're open we could learn from walking among them. One of my favorite things is touching, hugging, or sitting by a tree for a period of time (after asking permission, of course). This is one of the most special and important energetic exchanges I’ve ever had, and to me is just as important as being inside a stone-built temple or cathedral. Being in the woods feels like a direct and sacred connection to The-Source-Of-All-Things, surrounded by the circle of life, and invited by my plant brothers and sisters to remember where we came from. I think the Druids were on to something. Mature forests are holy spaces, special places, and not that easy to find in our state.
Just how many old-growth forests are left is a bit of a moving target. Some statistics say that only 1% of Eastern, and 5% of Western, original forests are still around. The Biden Administration released a report in April 2023 with an updated inventory of old-growth and mature forests on public lands, which many environmental groups hope will now lead to protection. The report concludes that there are more than 100 million acres of old-growth and mature timberlands despite commercial logging, wildfires and climate threats. This may sound like a lot, but it is a very small fraction of the virgin trees this nation had before logging began when the Europeans landed here, and the trees on this report are highly sought after by logging companies because of their size. Thank goodness for the creation of the State Park and National Park system which has saved original and unique habitats so that we are still able to walk among old trees. And can we please start reversing this trend and planting trees we’ll protect into the future?
Old-growth forests in Tennessee can still be found primarily in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and nearby state parks. While getting to some of these forests means being willing to hike quite a way into these areas, there are also some that are fairly easy hikes or walks scattered throughout the state. Here are the ones I found you should check out:
(Click on names for links to these sites!)
EAST TENNESSEE:
Albright Grove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There is a three mile hike to this grove of hardwood trees, but they are among the oldest and tallest in the park.
The Ramsey Cascade, GSMNP: Around four miles up hill to the top of a mountain to a beautiful waterfall. Starts easy, ends strenuously, with the old growth portion in the last two miles near the falls, but so worth the trip for the immense trees! (Note: Sites say it takes four hours, but it took me much longer round trip.)
Cove Hardwood Nature Trail, Chimney's picnic area, GSMNP: Easy one mile hike in a loop; a great way to see old-growth trees in a short hike.
The Werner Big Timber Tract is one of the largest stands of virgin forest in the region. Much of the forest is secondary re-growth from the early 1900s, but on the "Old-Growth Forests of the South Cumberland" hike you see virgin forest.
East Fork Ridge, Oak Ridge Reservation, Oak Ridge National Environmental Research Park. A surprise for me to learn about this reservation - a rare old-growth forest in the Ridge and Valley Provence! For opportunities to see the trees on guided nature walks held in Spring or Summer see their site for more information.
Falls Brand Trail, Cherokee National Forest. An impressive old-growth forest, the largest trees are off-trail, but the entire trail is wonderful and ends at the beautiful Falls Branch Falls.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE:
Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area, Spencer. Stands of old-growth forest can be found mostly in the "Base of the Falls Trail," in gorges and by several creeks. And of course, this is the tallest waterfall in the Eastern US, special bonus!
Piney Falls, Cumberland Trail State Park, Grandview. Beautiful, pristine forest, with many 100+ foot trees that are 40+ inches in diameter, mostly white pines and eastern hemlocks. Also, large tulip poplar, basswood, buckeye and hemlock below Upper Piney Falls.
Sewanee, University of the South. There are many beautiful trails all around the campus, but for old-growth forest look specifically for the Shakerag Hollow trail (3.5 mile loop, #9 on pdf) or Thumping Dick's Cove trail (2 miles roundtrip, #7 on the pdf). For more tree experience, the "Domain" on the University of the South campus has also been designated an arboretum, and a kiosk on the corner of Georgia and University has maps on where to find 75+ trees.
The Hill Forest, part of Warner Parks, Nashville. This land was acquired in 2009 by the park, the other half of which is the Burch Reserve (also a beautiful hike). The forest has many trees over 200 years old, including oak and hickory species, walnut, tulip poplar, and others. The best specimen trees have canopy heights above 120 feet and tree trunk diameters in excess of 36 inches (90 cm). The forest is closed to the public except through permits and guided programs, and there are no hikes during the summer months, but the Burch Reserve is open year round.
WEST TENNESSEE:
Overton Park's Old Forest State Natural Area. The only old-growth forest located in an urban setting in the Southeast. It contains a 1.4 mile running trail, paved trails, as well as four miles of unpaved walking pathes. The Old Forest Loop is one mile long and contains 35 markers, which you can read about in this map.
Another cool thing you could do is search out the impressive, very old trees near you. This site, Monumental Trees, has pictures and directions on how to find the thickest, tallest and oldest trees in Tennessee, along with observations. The site also has links to trees in the US and the world.
Do me a favor and get yourself out to a forest, any forest. If you can find an old-growth forest you have really hit the jackpot! But any time spent in nature will make you feel oh-so-much-better. And I highly suggest checking out forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku - "the practice of immersing yourself in nature in a mindful way, using your senses to derive a whole range of benefits for your physical, mental, emotional, and social health." More on this in a future blog!
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