The Mighty Coast Redwood: The lower half or two thirds of the coast redwoods trunk is usually bare of branches. At the top is a delicate canopy of feathery green foliage. Each year the redwood releases thousands of tiny globular cones that contain seeds, but only one seedling per million survives to become  a tree. A mature redwood is resistant to both fire and disease. On the few occasions when a redwood is affected by flames, it can rejuvenate itself, and if cut or damaged, it will quickly sprout hundreds of vigorous new shoots from its base. In spite of its size, the redwood has a very shallow root system. The roots reach 6 to 10 feet into the soil and spread out about 50 feet. Floods are a constant threat, as the running waters can wash away soil between the tree's roots, leaving it vulnerable to being blown over by the wind. On the other hand, a flood can be beneficial, adding fresh soil around the tree's base. When this occurs, the redwood grows new root closer to the surface.

Birds: High in the redwood forest, ravens and crows squabble loudly. They are joined by the Steller's Jay, which steals eggs and newly hatched young out of the nests of other species. It keeps its own nest hidden in the forest, returning to it only at dusk to prevent it from being discovered by predators. The marbled murrelet is a very different bird that spends the day on the nearby Pacific Ocean, diving for food. But at night this small, stocky seabird nests high up among the redwood's branches.

Plants: At the edge of the redwood groves, the giant trees are surrounded by mixed forests of evergreen and deciduous trees such as the California rose bay (a species of rhododendron) and scented azaleas. Vine maple spreads abundantly along the forest floor, taking root wherever a node touches the ground. Poison oak spirals around redwood trunks with its leaves turned upwards.  Many species of mushroom and other fungi grow in the shade  of the redwood, including the poisonous red and white fly agaric. A wide variety of ferns also flourish, from the delicate maiden air, which covers the banks of streams, to the more robust sword fern, with its long, pointed fronds.

During spring and early summer the ground surrounding the base of the redwoods is the base of the redwoods is covered with trillium, a member of the lily family, with delicate white blossoms that fade to dusky pink. Redwood sorrel blooms with pinkish purple flowers in springs. Its clover shaped leaves open wide during the day and roll tightly at disk.

Mammals: The redwood forest and the mixed forests surrounding it are home to many mammals, including the California black tailed deer, tiny shrews, and Douglas squirrels. The largest inhabitant of the redwood forest is the Roosevelt elk, which once ranged throughout North America. Today it is found mainly in the national parks on the Pacific coast. The predatory marten visits the redwood forest at night to hunt along tree branches for the chipmonks and birds that abound in this habitat. Other night hunters include the long tailed weasel, wolverine and spotted skunks also hunt at night, but they may hunt during the day if food is scarce.

Origins of the Redwood: The redwood probably originated 20 million years ago, and fossil remains indicate that similar giant conifers grew 160 million years ago. Before the last Ice Age, these giant trees covered what is now Asia, Europe, and North America. Most of the tree died when the glaciers moved south. After the glaciers melted only three redwood species remained. Two coniferous redwood species, which keep their eaves all year, are found in California. The coast redwood grows on the coast between Big Sur and the Oregon border. The giant sequoia, or sierra redwood, grows along the western slopes of the sierra Nevada in eastern California. The third species, the dawn redwood, is deciduous (sheds its leaves each year), smaller, and grows in China.

Threats to the Redwood:  When the California coast was settled, the redwood's size made them hard to cut down. Sawmills to handle this wood were built in the 1830's and 40's. Huge quantities of this durable wood were used to build towns, and many forest areas were destroyed. Twentieth century mechanization continued this destruction. By 1964 less than 400 square miles of undisturbed forest remained. The tree received protection in 1968 when 160 square miles of forest in northern California were designated a national park.

To return to animal menu click here