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Wilderness navigation
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Navigation using plants
In northern temperate climates there is a marked tendency for the flowers of plants to face, the sunny side, south or east.
One example of a plant known for its north-south orientation is the Compass Plant. Early travelers across the central plains of North America used this plant to help give them direction.
Navigation using trees
The attentive wilderness traveler often can observe how trees in a given area have been influenced by the prevailing wind to lean in a particular direction. However they are affected by many factors and confirm your findings by observing several trees in the same neighbourhood.
A number of pointers that will be useful (in the northern hemisphere the sun side is the side facing south) :
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Probably more foliage on the sunny side.
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The bark of old trees is usually thinner on the sun facing side.
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The heart of a tree is nearer the bark on the sun facing side. The various rings which are formed in the trunk are thinner on the side faces the sunny side.
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Wilderness navigation using moss
The old saying that moss grows on the north side in the northern hemisphere is only partially accurate.
Moss and lichens do not necessarily thrive where they receive the most shade but - and this is important - where the moisture is retained the longest. Humidity is an even greater factor than shade. Each locality has its difference in climate, and you should determine for yourself which side retains moisture the longest in your particular area. Only in this way can mosses and lichens be a valuable guide to direction.
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