The high-elevation forests of the northeastern United States receive relatively large quantities of atmospheric pollutants, including trace metals, in rain, fog, snow, and dry deposition. Measurements of forest floor thickness and trace metal and organic matter concentrations on Camels Hump, Vermont, taken between 1965 and 1983 show that while trace metal and organic matter concentrations have increased substantially during that time period, forest floor thicknesses have not shown a consistent pattern of change. Based on previously published decomposition experiments, it does not appear that the current metal concentrations present in the forest floor on Camels Hump are capable of significantly reducing decomposition of organic matter. It is possible that trace metal accumulations over the next century (or more) may be consequential to biological processes in the forest floor.