… you’d already be at least 1 m tall by the age of ten.
… you would reach 30 metres in height as an adult.
… your life expectancy would be more than 300 years.
A life in the service of the forest
Throughout its entire life, a spruce provides food and shelter for many forest dwellers. Even when the trunk has dried out or is rotting on the forest floor, it remains useful to other species.
The death of the old spruce creates an ideal space for young trees. Without its shade, light reaches the forest floor, and the decomposed wood provides excellent soil.
The cycle begins anew.
Fallen dead tree: Many living creatures depend on dead wood, including insects, woodlice, fungi, lichens and mosses.
Growth: Young trees are an important food source for many animals.
Harvesting (80–120 years): The timber is harvested by the forestry industry for construction and heating.
Age (300 years and over): Old trees provide protection against rockfalls and avalanches.
Standing dead tree: The dry trunks lend the landscape a mysterious and wild atmosphere. They provide shelter for birds and small mammals.

Look through the slit, don’t move, and leave the device running.
Is life in the forest coming to an end?
(i) This device is a zoetrope. It was invented around 1830 and is the precursor to the animated film!

… at the age of 10, you would already be at least 1 metre tall.
… as an adult, you would be 30 metres tall.
… you could expect to live for more than 300 years.
A lifetime serving the forest
Throughout its life, a spruce tree provides food and shelter for many forest creatures. Even as a dried-out trunk or whilst rotting on the ground, it continues to be of service to other species.
When an old spruce tree dies, it creates the perfect opportunity for saplings. Without its shade, light reaches the forest floor and the decomposing wood provides excellent compost.
And so the cycle begins again.
Fallen dead tree: A large number of living creatures depend on the dead wood: insects, woodlice, fungi, lichens and mosses.
Growth: The saplings provide food for numerous animals.
Harvesting (80–120 years): The wood is harvested by the timber industry for use as fuel or in construction.
Age (300 years or more): Long-established trees provide protection against rockfalls and avalanches.
Standing dead tree: Dried-out trunks lend the landscape a wild and mysterious appearance. They attract birds and small mammals.

Look through a slit, keep still and turn the device.
Is there an end to life in the forest?
(i) This machine is a zoetrope. Invented around 1830, it is the forerunner of cartoons!