Natural Navigation

Nature, weather and terrain can give you clues where the sun shines and which way is north.

Plant Growth and the Sun

Exposure to sun affects how plants grow.

• Exposure to sun often results in more lush plant growth

• The sun also dries out surfaces where plants will grow, so shaded areas will often have more moss and similar plant growth

• In the Northern Hemisphere the sun hit plants from the south

• In the Southern Hemisphere the sun hit plants from the north

Northern Hemisphere Plant Growth

Moss 

Does grows on the North Side of the tree?

• No, not necessarily

• Sometimes it grows on the northern side because it is shaded and has more moisture

• Sometimes it grows all around it depending on moisture 

• Often the greener side points south at sun

• Of note, tree moss is a potentially great Firestarter

• Unfortunately, where there is abundant moss, generally everything is also wet

Trees

• Lone evergreen trees will always be more bushy on the south side

• Birch and poplar tree bark is 

  • Whitest on the south side

  • Darkest on the north side

Stumps

• Cutting down a tree with a saw reveals growth rings

• Growth is generally more vigorous on side of sun exposure

• Rings are more spread out on sunny side

• Rings closer together on shade side

Puddles

Puddles survive in cooler and shaded areas.

• In Northern Hemisphere, puddles will last longer in the shade, or north side of trees and rocks

Terrain

Slopes (Northern Hemisphere)

• North facing slopes receive less sun

  • Cooler and moister

  • In summer there may be patches snow

• South facing slopes receive more sun

  • Warmer and drier

  • In Winter, trees are first to lose snow

  • Snowpack is generally shallower due to sun melt

Animals

Cows tend to face north or south while grazing

• Study based on satellite images

• At equator, they face slightly north-eastern or south-western

• They do not exabit this behavior under power lines

• Herd animals such as deer are thought to do the behavior

Winds

Some places have Prevailing Winds

• Knowing the prevailing winds of certain areas can prove helpful 

• Trees will be bent in the direction the wind is blowing