Several climate and forestry experts familiar with the work said the study provided an important new argument for protecting old-growth woods.

Stop using old-growth wood!

Picnic-goers dive onto the lawns for a spot of sun, while electric tour buggies (tour Y10; 8.30am-4.30pm) whirr along shaded paths through old-growth woods every 10 to 15 minutes.

Sears also made a point of selling old-growth wood stripped from the "virgin forests" of the Pacific Northwest.

Compared with early growth, the type commonly sold today because of environmental concerns, old-growth wood has a much tighter grain and denser composition.

Since it has not been able to stem the harvesting of old-growth wood, it will now concentrate on crimping demand for it.

The road to Avenel winds through the hills and old-growth woods of Potomac, past deer-crossing signs and stately stone manors.

A couple in town to picket the shareholders' meeting of the nation's largest buyer of old-growth wood in British Columbia dropped by to check out the scene.

They seem to only thrive in areas with mature, old-growth woods and are typically found where human activity is relatively low.

Secret Musik: The most recent release, 11 songs recorded live in a haunted Victorian built of old-growth wood, CD recorded in June 2009 and released July 31, 2010.