This is an illustration (click here for article) from New Zealand about the way forests begin and grow. It is properly named "Succession Forest."
Succession forests can start in a field as illustrated here or it can even start in the water. When it begins in the water it is fascinating, because, as time goes by the sediment that settles under and around the roots begin to form land. So, if someone wants to create land, it is not as complicated as it seems. It can be done with trees that love the water and extend their roots into the water.
But, the illustration clearly states as the plants grow and transition into shrubs and small trees it will ultimately grow into a forest where the trees are aged and the forest floor is virtually empty of much "understory" because the "canopy" blocks out the sun from the land below. Our national forests of Sequoias and Redwoods are those type of forests. The Old Growth forests of Washington State and the northwest USA are those types of pinnacle forests.
At one time there were incredible Cypress forests that were Old Growth forests. They were clear cut. The diameter of the trunks were far greater than the height of a logger.
