The Old Growth Birch Forest biome in Minecraft is a rare and breathtaking variant of the standard Birch Forest. Characterized by its towering birch trees and calm, sunlit atmosphere, it offers one of the most peaceful landscapes in the game. Once known as the Tall Birch Forest, this biome provides abundant wood resources, scenic beauty, and ideal conditions for survival or building.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Old Growth Birch Forest — including where to find it, what makes it special, the mobs that spawn there, and survival tips for thriving in this tranquil biome.
How to Find an Old Growth Birch Forest
The Old Growth Birch Forest generates in temperate regions of the Overworld. It’s significantly rarer than the standard Birch Forest, often appearing as an isolated patch surrounded by other forest or taiga biomes.
To locate it more easily, you can use the in-game command: /locate biome minecraft:old_growth_birch_forest
If you prefer exploring naturally, look for these indicators:
- Extremely tall birch trees (up to 14–15 blocks high).
- Gentle hills covered with bright green grass.
- Light-filled canopy with minimal shadowing.
Common neighboring biomes:
- Birch Forest
- Old Growth Pine Taiga
- Meadow
- Plains
Pro Tip: Tools like Chunkbase’s Biome Finder can help pinpoint coordinates for this biome in both Java and Bedrock editions.
Biome Classification and Rarity
The Old Growth Birch Forest is technically classified as a “mutated” biome variant of the standard Birch Forest. In earlier versions of Minecraft, it appeared under the names Birch Forest M and later Tall Birch Forest before being renamed in Java Edition 1.18 (snapshot 21w40a).
This biome rarely generates compared to common forests, making it one of the least frequent forest biomes in Minecraft’s world generation.
Biome ID:
- Java Edition: minecraft:old_growth_birch_forest
- Bedrock Edition: old_growth_birch_forest
Visual Features and Terrain
The defining feature of this biome is its exceptionally tall birch trees, some reaching heights of 14–15 blocks. The terrain is gently rolling with bright green grass and abundant foliage.
Key environmental traits:
- Bright lighting: Due to sparse canopy coverage, sunlight easily reaches the ground.
- Minimal shadows: Makes hostile mob spawns less frequent during the day.
- Mild elevation changes: Ideal for both exploration and building projects.
Compared to regular forests or dark biomes, the Old Growth Birch Forest feels spacious and peaceful — perfect for relaxed gameplay or creative building.
Flora and Blocks Found
While the Old Growth Birch Forest doesn’t feature any biome-exclusive blocks, it includes a lush mix of vegetation and natural resources that make it visually appealing and resource-rich.
Common flora and ground cover:
- Birch trees (tall variants) – the primary wood source.
- Flowers: Dandelions, poppies, oxeye daisies, lily of the valley, and azure bluet.
- Grass and ferns – fill much of the forest floor.
- Mossy stone patches – occasionally appear near hillsides.
Resource highlights:
- Abundant birch wood and saplings for renewable resources.
- Plenty of passive mobs for food and crafting materials.
- Ideal biome for beekeeping, thanks to the abundance of flowers.
Mobs That Spawn Here
The Old Growth Birch Forest is relatively safe, with plenty of open space and natural light during the day.
Passive mobs:
- Sheep
- Pigs
- Cows
- Chickens
Hostile mobs (nighttime or shaded areas):
- Zombies
- Skeletons
- Creepers
- Spiders
While trees provide occasional shade, the biome’s open terrain makes it easy to spot hostile mobs before they approach. Players can further improve safety by placing torches or lanterns around their base.
Structures and Points of Interest
The Old Growth Birch Forest doesn’t feature unique structures, but standard Overworld structures can sometimes generate within or near it:
- Ruined Portals: Occasionally spawn within the forest.
- Villages: May generate nearby if the biome borders a Plains or Meadow biome.
- Caves and Ravines: Often cut through the hills, offering access to ores and caves.
Because the terrain is open and scenic, it’s an ideal location for custom player-built structures, such as elevated bases or hidden treehouses.
Survival and Building Tips
The Old Growth Birch Forest’s combination of safety, resources, and natural beauty makes it perfect for players seeking a tranquil lifestyle.
Survival strategies:
- Gather birch wood early: Excellent for tools, fuel, and building.
- Farm passive mobs: The biome’s open fields make animal farming simple.
- Use flowers for dyes or bees: Great spot for beehive farming and honey collection.
- Light up shaded areas: Prevent hostile mobs from spawning under trees.
Building ideas:
- Treehouse villages connected by rope bridges.
- Nature sanctuaries and elven-style architecture.
- Scenic hiking trails or watchtowers for exploration builds.
Comparison: Old Growth Birch Forest vs Other Birch Variants
| Feature | Old Growth Birch Forest | Birch Forest | Tall Birch Hills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tree Height | Up to 14–15 blocks | 6–8 blocks | Up to 17 blocks |
| Rarity | Rare | Common | Very rare |
| Terrain | Gently hilly | Mostly flat | More mountainous |
| Atmosphere | Bright and scenic | Simple and quiet | Dramatic and vertical |
| Best For | Building, exploration | Resource gathering | Clifftop builds |
This comparison highlights how the Old Growth Birch Forest strikes a balance between beauty and practicality — more open than regular forests, yet more accessible than steep hills.
Lighting and Mob Prevention
While the biome is bright, large tree trunks can create shaded areas where mobs might spawn at night. To maintain safety:
- Use lanterns or glowstone near bases and pathways.
- Keep campfires or soul torches for style and light.
- Clear dense foliage if building long-term settlements.
Version History
| Version | Changes |
|---|---|
| Java 1.7 (13w36a) | Added as “Birch Forest M.” |
| Java 1.13 (Pre-Release 5) | Renamed to “Tall Birch Forest.” |
| Java 1.18 (21w40a) | Renamed to “Old Growth Birch Forest.” |
| Java 1.9–1.11 | Biome temporarily stopped generating due to a bug. |
| Bedrock 1.18 | Added equivalent variant in Bedrock Edition. |
Including this section improves historical accuracy and helps wiki readers understand the biome’s evolution across Minecraft updates.
Commands and Tips
- Locate Command: /locate biome minecraft:old_growth_birch_forest
- Teleport Example: /tp @p <x> <y> <z> (use biome finder coordinates)
- Best Seeds: Search online for “Old Growth Birch Forest seeds” to discover world seeds that guarantee biome spawns.
Fun Facts
- The biome’s name reflects real-world “old growth forests,” known for their tall, mature trees.
- Some community builders use it for fantasy or elven builds due to its natural elegance.
- It’s one of the few forest biomes where you can get both height variation and bright lighting, making screenshots especially photogenic.
Conclusion
The Old Growth Birch Forest biome in Minecraft stands as a peaceful, scenic paradise for explorers and builders alike. With its soaring birch trees, gentle terrain, and safe environment, it’s the perfect place to establish a long-term base or simply admire Minecraft’s natural beauty.
Whether you’re seeking a calm home away from mobs, a stunning landscape to build in, or a rare biome to add to your exploration checklist — the Old Growth Birch Forest deserves a visit in every world.
