The redwood forests of California hold a special place in my heart because I grew up among these giants. They are a fond memory from my childhood, so today I want to take a look at the history of redwoods in California, the threats they faced, and the conservation efforts that kept them around for us to enjoy today. At the end of this article we will take a quick look at the science behind their quirks. Enjoy!
Indigenous People
The indigenous people of California were the first to live among the redwoods. For centuries tribes located in and adjacent to California’s redwood forests used the trees as construction material. Because of their small population and minimal needs, they were able to sustainably harvest redwoods without threatening their longevity.
Native Americans used the trunks to carve out canoes, build homes and sweat lodges, and likely other small tools and objects. They would perform ceremonies when harvesting these redwoods to show respect for the life they were taking in exchange for improved livelihood (www.savetheredwoods.org).
Spanish Explorers
When Spanish explorers came into the region, they began using redwoods for construction much like the indigenous people had before them. The first mention of redwoods was in 1769. Adobe buildings, structures made from mud bricks, were built across California from this time until the mid 1800’s. Redwoods were used to make support beams, doors, and other aspects of these homes. This went on for decades, but logging wouldn’t become a huge issue until American settlers from the East began streaming into California (www.savetheredwoods.org).
Mass Logging for a Growing State
California became a state in 1850, and its new population was already putting a strain on redwood forests. Towns and settlements were popping up constantly with the onset of the Gold Rush in 1948. This new demand for construction material fell on the redwoods, and they were being cleared from hillsides up and down northern California.
The most significant impact was seen in what is now the San Francisco Bay Area. Logging had started to get out of control during the first half of the 19th century but it was only getting worse, and people were concerned about losing redwoods for good if it was not regulated or stopped. Old growth forests were being decimated and people didn’t know how to protect the ancient trees. (www.savetheredwoods.org).
Era of Conservation
Concerned citizens living in the Santa Cruz basin came together in the year 1900 to protect the small amount of remaining old growth forest in the area. They called themselves the Sempervirens Club. For over two years the club campaigned for a park in the Santa Cruz mountains. In 1901 a bill was passed that would allow for the park’s creation, and a year later the State set aside 3,800 acres for California’s first ever state park. This park was named California Redwood Park, later renamed as Big Basin Redwoods State Park. This was the first instance of Coast redwoods being protected anywhere. Learn more about the Sempervirens Fund and their work in conservation here.
This next section is significant to me because I grew up spending every Friday in this park, exploring its many trails and finding hidden gems scattered throughout the 4,000 acres. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park joined the ranks in 1954, donated to the State by the Cowell family. The Redwood Loop Trail is less than a mile long, making up a small portion of the park’s 30 miles of trail, but it is important to mention because it takes you through an old growth redwood forest. Some of the trees in this section are over 1,000 years old, and dwarf everything around them.
Another rarity that can be found in Henry Cowell is the albino redwood tree. This small, all-white redwood is located near the Redwood Loop, just off of the train tracks that run through the park. It only comes up to your chest in height, but it is still a wonder to look at.
Science Behind the Redwood
The Coast redwood is quite unlike any other tree. The oldest of these trees can reach heights topping 300ft, with one holding the record for tallest living tree in the world at 379ft! The base of these trees are also very impressive, with the largest ones exceeding 20ft in diameter.
One of the most unique features of a redwood is its bark. It grows close to a foot thick on the older trees, a characteristic that protects against fire and insects. The redwood is extremely resilient, so it is not uncommon to find redwoods that have a massive hole in their trunk due to fire, but continue to live on. The bark also contains tannins, a chemical that produces a bitter taste and can cause indigestion, which prevents insects from burrowing into them.
Their root system may come as a surprise, given the size of redwoods. Their root system does not penetrate very deep, rarely further than six feet underground. Instead, their roots spread outwards, sometimes hundreds of feet from the tree’s base. They may interlock with other redwoods around them, adding to their stability.
The roots serve another purpose as well. Redwoods will drop seedlings to reproduce, but the more common form of reproduction is for new trees to sprout directly from their root system. What you will often see is redwoods growing in rings, with an empty space in the middle where the mother tree used to stand.
Redwoods truly have had a troubled and bumpy past, but the future looks bright for them. Old growth forests are preserved in the Santa Cruz area, which will allow the trees to continue growing for generations to come. They are my favorite tree in the world, and I don’t want a day to come where they are erased from this Earth.
Luckily for me and you, I don’t see that day coming thanks to the efforts of concerned citizens turned conservationists. If you ever find yourself in this part of the world don’t miss out on a chance to see these giants with your own eyes!
