The Redwoods

[Dave Grubb]

I have seen a number of news bits on TV bemoaning the fate of the Redwoods in CA that have been burned by the fires.

I questioned that, since this isn't the first rodeo (or fire) for those giant old trees that can be centuries old. The Redwood (and Sequoia) are uniquely endowed to survive forest fires due to their very thick insulating and flame retardant bark. In addition, the heat of the fire on the forest floor causes the seed cones to open and release their seeds---thus reseeding new growth. Without the fire to clear the debris on the forest floor, those seeds cannot get down to the soil where they must be to begin new life.

It is sad that so many can say so much and know so little.

[wacojoe]

That was good news. My one walk among those trees was magical.

[Billy_Rightwing]

Live in those trees and they also gave me a life. Was lucky to retire before the last one was sawed up.

[Dave Grubb]

That was good news. My one walk among those trees was magical.

I can't imagine anyone not being moved by simply being in their presence.

[wacojoe]

My wife, the Master Gardener, was always on the lookout for new and interesting plants and trees for our farm. One day we happened upon some trees at a little out-of-the-way nursery in Tom Ball, Tx., and the trees were identified as Dawn Redwoods, so we bought a couple not really thinking anything named “Redwood” would flourish in Texas, but what-the-hey, right? I planted one between our house and carport having no idea what it was or what it would do. The damned thing grew like a weed the next few years. In about four years it must have been thirty feet tall and 15 feet wide at the base. By that time it threatened to take over the house and needed some trimming.

While on one of my wife’s group Master Gardiner tours of gardens and parks in Washington State, I spotted a more mature example labeled a Dawn Redwood, and that one was huge. Come to find out the Dawn Redwood is the only existing example of one of the three types of Redwoods ever to have known to exist. Past examples of the type covered large areas of North America in past eras millions of years ago and were thought to be extinct until the Dawn was identified in the 1940’s in a small area in China.

After that initial spurt of growth, the tree slowed down, but that coincided with a time of drouth at the farm. We sold shortly after that. I wonder from time to time how it is doing. Besides being big, it was also sharply and beautiful. If you see one and have the space, I recommend putting it in.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metasequoia

The Wiki article says the Dawn Redwood can reach 165 feet in height and loves hot weather. Who would have guessed?
Oh, the Dawn is deciduous and at the big size that is going to mean a lot of raking.

[Dave Grubb]

I have two that are about 35 years old and about 35 to 40 feet high. The only downside is the roots grow near the surface so mowing underneath requires some caution.

[TriGuy]

Ah Big Basin Redwoods State park...My old stomping and Fire Dept area of responsibility. The only "destruction of the park" in the CZU lightning complex fires is the historical Man made structures. The trees for the most part are still there. Every year for as long as I can remember we did controlled burns in the park to remove the heavy understory so that when the big fire hit it would burn cooler and naturally allowing the Redwoods to survive just as they did before the white mans insane fire supression antics of the last 100 years. Nature heals quite well. People screamed that Yellowstone was destroyed. Go there today and it is beautiful.

[UTAH]

Nature heals quite well.

Excellent news to hear. When I visit my family in the area, I always take time to see the redwoods.

Hunter