Forest growth is the process of trees, ferns, MOSS, OAKS, saplings, and LICHEN growing in a forest. Trees are the most common type of plant found in forests, and they can range from evergreen conifers to deciduous hardwoods. Ferns are a type of vascular plant that reproduce through spores and have fronds that grow from a central stem. MOSS is a small, soft plant that grows in damp, shady areas and reproduces by releasing spores. OAKS are a type of deciduous tree that produce acorns and have a wide, spreading canopy. Saplings are young trees that are just beginning to grow and develop. LICHEN is a composite organism made up of a fungus and an alga that grows on rocks, trees, and other surfaces. All of these plants play an important role in the growth and development of a forest.