Layers of the Rain Forest

  Overstory trees shade the younger trees of the understory, drastically slowing their growth.The overstory consists of giant emergent trees that tower above the surrounding canopy. These trees are huge, at least by tropical standards, some exceeding a height of 213 feet (65 meters) with horizontal limbs that stretch over 100 feet (30 m). These trees live in a different climate from the trees of the canopy. The air is much drier and moderately strong winds blow through their branches. The overstory poking through the rainforest canopy, which looks like a continuous green carpet from the air. Below the canopy are the understory and forest floor, where little light penetrates and so plants are somewhat scarce.