Why Are Sequoias & California Redwoods Unusual?

A giant sequoia tree.

California is home to two types of unusual trees that are hardly found elsewhere in the world. Sequoia and redwood forests make up part of the tourist economy in California. These trees often have to be seen in person to be believed. They have many attributes that set them apart from most other trees and have intrigued scientists and tourists alike for many years.

Extreme Heights

Redwoods and sequoias are among the tallest trees on earth. Sequoia trees reach up to 311 feet tall. Redwoods grow even taller, up to nearly 370 feet high. The National Park Services website notes scientists have yet to discover why these trees reach such extreme heights. These trees also achieve huge circumferences. Redwood trees can grow from 8 to 20 feet in diameter. Sequoias, according to the Redwood National Park information page, can grow to 41 feet in diameter.

Ancient Trees

Sequoias and redwoods also live an extremely long time. Many of these trees are among the oldest living things on Earth. The Redwood National Park information page mentions giant sequoias can live up to 3,200 years, while redwoods live up to 2,000 years. San Francisco State University's department of geography and human environmental studies notes the oldest trees in the sequoia family date to the Jurassic period.

Unusual Reproduction

Redwood trees have a strange method of reproduction. While sequoias reproduce by seed only, redwood trees can reproduce by seed or by root sprout. Trees of Mystery states that live redwoods, when knocked over, will continue to try to grow using its limbs. The limbs of the overturned tree that are facing upward will become their own individual redwoods if undisturbed. Redwoods also feature burls, which are clumps of stem tissue that can become a new tree should the old tree die. It was discovered that only around 20 percent of the redwoods in existence came from seeds, while the remaining trees are the result of burl reproduction and are essentially the same line of tree repeating itself.

Tough Wood

These trees have developed unusual methods of self-preservation that helps them reach such an old age. Redwoods have incredibly thick bark. The bark of a redwood can be up to 12 inches thick, while sequoia bark can be more than 30 inches thick. These trees have a high resistance to insects and most diseases. Another feature of the redwood tree is that it is resistant to fire. Trees of Mystery states that when exposed to fire, the bark of the tree becomes something of a heat shield, protecting the inner flesh of the tree from damage.

Ideal Climate

Redwood and sequoia trees require a certain combination of climate settings found almost exclusively in the coastal area of California. Redwoods require a lot of moisture, and the heavy fogs along the California coast are ideal. The fog, combined with the temperature of the coast, helps these trees reach their giant sizes.

References

• Trees of Mystery: The Truly Amazing Redwood Tree
• Redwood National Park Information Page: Redwood National Park Information
• San Francisco State University Department of Geography and Human Environmental Studies: Coast Redwood
• OhRanger.com: Sequoias vs. Redwoods
• National Park Services: About the Trees