Size Matters!

August 28, 2016 by lauramacky 30 Comments

With over 53,000 acres, Humboldt Redwoods State Park consists of a vast redwood forest. There are three types of redwoods: Coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), Giant Sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum), and Dawn Redwoods (Metasequoia glyptostrobides), but only one type which is the Coast Redwood grows in Humboldt State Park because they love the cool climate. The species name “sempervirens” comes from the Latin words for ever and green. You can read more about these amazing trees here. I think some of you would love this article. It’s fascinating how these trees and live.

One thing I loved about the trees up in Humboldt is how OLD these trees are. These resilient trees often live several hundred years, and in some cases, more than 2,000 years. Can you believe it? This makes them one of the oldest tree species in the world.

If you have time:

read the labels on two different trees here in the gallery. The labels show you history and how it relates to the ages corresponding to the rings of these specific trees. Incredible!

I’ve also included a picture of my husband standing next to “The Founders Tree” which was once tallest known tree in the world. It has since lost part of its top and several other taller trees have been found since then.

I hopped out and took a picture of Dave driving our car through the Shrine Tree. Since redwoods don’t have tap roots (long central roots), their balance is maintained by directed limb growth. This tree was once tilted at an angle. It prevented its own death by growing one large limb on only one side only, therefore supporting itself. Amazing how nature’s instinct is so strong.

The rangers cut trees that have fallen across the path so that we can still enjoy the trails of the beautiful forests.

I love how the roots are exposed from a fallen tree.

This one is the only iPhone photo. I had to do a panorama with the phone to get it all in, so that’s why it’s curved. The height is 363 feet and it is 53 feet in circumference. Imagine!