J. Old Growth

"I like the challenge of trying different things and wondering whether it's going to work or whether I'm going to fall flat on my face." - Johnny Depp

About this forest:

• Several old trees, some large, some slow growing and smaller
• New diverse uniquely adapted trees continuously establishing without taking away from existing trees
• Small trees can maintain very slow growth for extended periods without being lost.
• This forest has been through several cycles of the three main trajectories
  • Several RESISTANT trajectories - built resistance to disturbance, remaining stronger trees strengthened
  • Several RESILIENT trajectories - prepared for disturbance, diversity increased
  • Several REVOLUTIONARY trajectories - all niches are filled, this forest has redefined what it means to be "full" many times over.
• Deep soils (many trees lost and decomposing) create disturbance resistance and improve the ability to establish new trees.
• Dynamic - Big trees can be lost without a major disruption to the forest due to highly resilient and revolutionary characteristics.
• Trees are diverse and often intertwined (leading to mutual strength).

This forest type is rare, difficult to reach, and may not be suitable for most.

• It requires embracing change.
• Maintaining this forest requires mastering all 3 trajectories (RESISTANT, RESILIENT, REVOLUTIONARY) and apply them equally!
• This includes establishing new trees that can eventually force out old less-suitable trees.
• This forest requires making decisions on which trees are best adapted for your forest.

How to know if a new tree is better adapted?

For example: Scuba diving could be a fun new hobby with the potential for long-term satisfaction. But scuba diving should NOT force out other trees like a career. UNLESS, of course, the scuba diving can improve upon your current career niche, which provides the income, the lifestyle and the experiences to keep growing intellectually. If it can fill that niche, then quitting a "normal" job to become a scuba instructor in Fiji could be a REVOLUTIONARY trajectory!