I Love Redwoods post series: 4

Coastal redwoods, Sequoia sempervirens, used to cover the coastal Northwest. Their wood, however, makes great lumber, which made them a huge target for logging beginning in the 19th century. 98% of old growth redwood forest was cut down. Based on reports of the amount of wood gained from a single tree, there were probably trees larger than any sequoias we know today, which hold the title for largest tree (though not the tallest, Redwoods hold that title).

Source: The Wild Trees by Richard Preston

I Love Redwoods post series: 3

Wild fires can occur in the canopy of redwoods, resulting in fire caves, as shown in the above picture. These fires are caused by lightning, and the caves don’t typically harm the overall existence of the tree. They merely contribute to the amazing complexity of the tree’s canopy.

I Love Redwoods post series: 2

Coastal redwoods are found in the northwestern United States. This area is a temperate rainforest, and redwoods thrive in areas near the ocean that have a high occurrence of fog and rain. Some studies have shown that redwoods can absorb water from fog through their leaves, meaning that they reverse the normal process of transpiration and move water down their trunks. Redwoods also catch moisture from rain and fog in their needles and branches, making them a huge resource in the ecosystem for water.

I Love Redwoods post series: 1

The scientific name of coastal redwoods is Sequoia sempervirens, a genus that also contains giant sequoias. They can grow to be taller than 350 feet, and their canopies are complex systems of branches, like its own ecosystem.