The Definition of Old Growth Forests

In 2022 the US Forest Service broadened the definition to include mature forests with benchmarks adjusted for the agency's nine regions. Big trees, that is one of them. A mix of big slow growing understory and forest floor plants. Large patches of spreading wildflowers. Windows in the canopy from down large trees like Jonathan mentioned in the tornadoes. Also big holes left by the root balls of big fallen trees. Like an upended hill covered with wildflowers which can provide habitat for burrowing animals.