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11 Chapter One: Forests of North America

Deciduous Forests The trees in a deciduous forest lose their leaves each autumn. They pass the winter with no leaves, only to grow new ones in the spring. Elms, oaks, maples, and ash are all deciduous trees. In North America, deciduous forests are found in regions in the East—from Texas to Minnesota, and Florida to Maine—and in a small area in Canada around the Great Lakes. A deciduous forest receives between 30 and 60 inches (76–152 centimeters) of precipitation each year. These forests have four unique and specific seasons each year: summer, fall, winter, and spring. As the seasons change, so do the trees. Other types of plants are found in the deciduous forest. The soils on the forest floor are very rich and fertile, making it the perfect environment for small plants such as wildflowers, mosses, and lichens to grow. A layer of smaller trees and shrubs can be found in the forest as well, under the larger trees. A deciduous forest is home to many different types of wildlife. White-tailed deer, black bears, turkeys, opossums, skunks, raccoons, and foxes all make a deciduous forest their home. Smaller mammals like squirrels and chipmunks share the forest floor with toads, frogs, and salamanders. There are many natural resources found in a deciduous forest, and timber is by far the most important. Hardwoods like maple and oak are popular flooring options

Hardwoods and Softwoods The term hardwood does not necessarily mean that a particular wood is harder than another. In fact, there are soft hardwoods , such as balsa, and hard softwoods , such as yew. The terms are used to describe the biology of the tree and the way that the wood is formed.

Model airplanes are often made from balsa wood. Even though balsa is called a hardwood, it is actually quite soft and lightweight.