Forests are not only beautiful but an essential part of life on Earth. They serve as home to more than 80% of land animals[1] and cover nearly a third of the world.[2]
Trees can reduce air pollution, cool the air, and provide renewable energy.[3][4]
Many life-saving medications even come from rainforest trees and plants.[5]
Finding the right words to describe a forest can really bring your story to life, whether you’re writing a novel or sharing an anecdote about a recent hiking trip.
We have the list of words to describe the forest below, plus an activity to help you discover more about the forest.
Moonlit
Beautiful
Hushed
Majestic
Ancient
Vivid
Damp
Devastated
Ominous
Dusky
Misty
Dense
Enchanted
Green
Dark
Blossoming
Uninterrupted
Lush
Shady
Wild
Grand
Peaceful
Captivating
Vegetated
Moist
Enormous
Magnificent
Huge
Hostile
Mighty
Pathless
Dazzling
Terrible
Fragrant
Stately
Splendid
Temperate
Diverse
Evergreen
Overgrown
Lofty
Open
Lively
Breathtaking
Daunting
Primeval
Sprawling
Bewildering
Undisturbed
Quiet
Shaded
Sun-dappled
Dewed
Dynamic
Earthy
Wooded
Mysterious
Silent
Primitive
Dormant
Shadowy
Murky
Distant
Untouched
Snow-covered
Decayed
Brown
Pristine
Old-growth
Giant
Spectacular
Jagged
Deserted
Native
Wet
Formidable
Heavenly
Cold
Colorful
Remarkable
Nocturnal
Isolated
Tropical
Picturesque
Tangled
Romantic
Gloomy
Ethereal
Vast
Bustling
Gorgeous
Calm
Enchanting
Coniferous
Lonely
Spooky
Dreary
Desolate
Stunning
Crowded
Luxuriant
Leafless
Equatorial
Humming
Primal
Thick
Pristine
Solemn
Inaccessible
Arboraceous
Northern
Mangrove
Humid
Powerful
Cool
Western
Sodden
Leafy
Swampy
Foggy
Southern
Undeveloped
Wildlife-filled
Eastern
Unspoiled
Secluded
Willowy
Mystical
Solitary
Immense
Foreboding
Noble
Sacred
Prehistoric
Grassy
Eerie
Boreal
Deep
Wind-blown
Warm
Pure
Strange
Shaggy
Petrified
Sturdy
Dry
Bleak
Haunted
Bare
Flourishing
Glorious
Rough
Untrodden
Grim
Amazonian
Mature
Rolling
Wide
Young
Subtropical
Inland
Valuable
Chilly
Deciduous
Verdant
Alive
Wondrous
Somber
Brittle
Abundant
Large
Barren
Inhospitable
Alpine
Celestial
Sweltering
Autumnal
Idyllic
Unending
Scary
Natural
Bushy
Coastal
Activity: Forest Discovery Scavenger Hunt
Knowing how to describe a forest is great, but genuinely discovering and understanding the forest is even better!
You can visit a local wooded park or nearby national forest to complete this activity.
Look for and take photos of the following things:
- A fallen leaf
- A fallen branch
- The bark of a tree
- Three plants other than trees
- A bird that lives in the forest
- A mammal that lives in the forest
- A bug that lives in the forest
After finding and collecting photos of all of the items on the list, research them. Write captions for your photos that explain the plant or animal species and how/why it thrives in a forest environment.
You can use simple identification if completing this activity with children or create in-depth captions explaining the forest ecosystem.
Be sure to bring water and snacks, choose a trail suitable to your fitness and experience levels, and wear appropriate clothes when visiting the woods!