Driving Through the Redwoods

It is difficult to describe the size and beauty of the Old Growth Redwoods. Reaching heights of up to 370 feet and dating back to nearly 2,000 years, these trees are beyond awe. That is, what is left of them. With the California gold rush and the western expansion, most of these trees were gobbled up as a seemingly inexhaustible lumber supply. Today, only 4% of two million acres of redwoods are left, a number that can hardly be replaced; only protected.

There are a variety of redwoods growing in the United States. The coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) towers over all other trees in the world. This tree, standing at 112.1 meters (367.8 feet), was discovered on the banks of Redwood Creek by the National Geographic Society in 1963. It was labeled the tallest known tree and called the Stratosphere Giant. Now, groups have discovered about 135 redwoods that reach higher than 350 feet in nearby Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The tallest of three new finds is a redwood named Hyperion, which measures 378.1 feet. Next in line, Helios, standing at 376.3 feet and Icarus, the third, reaches 371.2 feet.

Taking measurements for such extensively sized trees is tricky. Scientists use hand-held lasers along with a tripod-mounted laser fitted with a remote trigger designed to eliminate human-induced wobbles. A tape is then dropped from the top of the tree to the ground.

The giant sequoias, cousins to the coast redwoods, grow larger in diameter and bulk, but not as tall. Coast redwoods survive to be over 2,000 years old—perhaps half the age of giant sequoias—and average around 500-700 years in age. The living tree has no known killing diseases, and the insects associated with it cause no significant damage. Fire is the worst natural foe, but usually to young trees that lack the thick bark protection. As with most conifers, redwoods lack a taproot, and their broad shallow root system sometimes provides inadequate support for the massive trunk. Wind topples many mature trees.

There are a handful of ways to visit these redwoods. Most are in national or state parks as well as in California. They include:

Prairie Creek Redwood State Park - This park in California is located 50 miles north of Eureka and 25 miles south of Crescent City on Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway off of Highway 101. The land for this park was set aside in the early 1920’s. The park offers hiking, nature study, wildlife viewing, beach combing, picnicking, a visitor center with exhibits and a nature store.

Redwood National Park - This is the most popular park in California. It is located along the coast of northern California and consists of 131,983 acres. This park protects 45% of all remaining Coastal Redwoods. It boasts the tallest trees on Earth. The park wasn't created until 1968 by which time nearly 90% of the original redwood trees had been logged.

Muir Woods National Monument - Extending from Tomales Bay in Marin County California to San Mateo County in the south, this park encompasses 59 miles of shoreline. It is one of the largest urban national parks in the world and was established in 1972. It has 240 acres of old growth Coast Redwoods for your enjoyment.

Yosemite National Park - This park is located on the eastern portion of California and covers over 761,266 acres. It reaches across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain. This park was known for the famous Wawona Tree, also known as the Tunnel Tree. A tunnel was cut through the tree in 1881, making it a popular tourist photo attraction. The tree fell in 1969 under a heavy load of snow. It was estimated to be been 2,300 years old. Giant Sequoias typically grow in this park. These trees can reach a height of 280 feet tall and 23 feet across.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park - This is California's oldest State Park. It was established in 1902 and is still the home of the largest continuous stand of ancient coast redwoods south of San Francisco. The park ahs over 18,000 acres of old growth and recovering redwood forest.

There are other smaller parks with redwoods, but if your time is limited and you are seeking the beauty of the redwoods only these parks are your best bet.


Andrew Johnson is the owner of Central Texas Tree Care, a leading tree service provider in Central Texas (Travis County and surrounding areas) offering services such as pruning and removals, cabling and bracing as well as arborist reports, diagnostics, pest management, fertilization and Austin tree service trusts. For more information please visit http://www.centraltexastreecare.com.