Canopy areas (synonyms: canopy, branches; example toponyms: The High Canopy) are a location that encompasses the upper layer of a forest or rainforest. In real life ecology, this is where the vast majority of the biodiversity occurs and acts as a unique ecosystem separated from the forest floor. There may be canopy walkways that connect different areas of the canopy. In worldbuilding, canopy areas are often found in forests of giant trees, where a network of interconnected or closely arranged branches may act like a bridge or catwalk system between trees. There may be treetop towns in the high canopy. The high canopy is home to elves, anthropomorphic animals, arboreal alien species, and forest bandits.

Characters leaping from limb to limb between the forest trees is a common narrative trope.