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Why the
Redwoods National Park
is special
The redwoods are the world's tallest trees, and many of highest ones reside in
the Redwoods National Park in northern California. Some are 30-stories high and
have lived for 2,000 years.
Redwoods National Park
tips &
insights
 The
redwood bark is extra thick, which helps protect the plant during forest fires.
The bark is also high in tannin, which insects hate. And, the tree self-sheds all
but the branches high off the ground, which also thwarts insect attack. All
these factors contribute to the organism's remarkable multi-millennial longevity.
The
bark is more auburn than red, but inside, the color becomes redder. This gives
the tree its name.
The
roots are unexpectedly shallow for such a towering life form. They rarely go
deeper than 3 meters (10 feet). Instead, they broadly spread out. And, they
tangle with the roots of other redwoods, which creates structural reinforcement.
The need to do this is one reason why redwoods grow close together.
The
leaves are designed to capture and condense moisture from the coastal fog during
the dry season. Soon the droplets fall to the ground like rainfall to water the
roots of the thirsty tree.
Redwoods
can reproduce from seed - or by sprouting, from either live or dead trees.
Whether
you are a backpacker, day trekker or short-distance hiker, you will find a
suitable trail. But be mindful of bears.
The
Redwoods National Park stretches from 1000 meter (3300 foot) elevations down to
the rocky ocean shore.
It
is administratively part of a greater entity, the Redwoods National and State Parks
(RNSP). It includes three abutting California redwood parks dedicated to
conserving the forests.
The
urge to conserve began in the 1800s when logging cut down most of the redwoods
(its durable wood is excellent for constructing buildings).
The
Redwood and Sequoia National Parks, both Hillman Silver Medal winners, are
located 800 kilometers (500 miles) apart. Their majestic trees are biologically
close relatives, but have distinct characteristics. The redwoods are slightly
taller, and have a fluted bark pattern. The sequoias are greater in girth and
volume, have a motley bark pattern, and live longer.
 
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