The forest vegetation can be divided into three layers.

The Canopy : All the tall trees with branches that spread out above you. These trees are in competition for the light. Their leaves and branches often block direct sunlight from the smaller plants in their shadow.
Trees in the canopy

The Field Layer : These plants are less tall. The field layer consists of all the plants which are above the forest floor at any height up to about one metre. (Note that young trees, or saplings, are part of the field layer).

The Ground Layer : These plants remain close to the forest floor, only growing a few centimetres above it.
The field layer and the ground layer

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©  Shirley Burchill 2007