California is home to many icons: Schwarzenegger, Tyra Banks, The Rock! In Humboldt County, however, the Coastal Redwood is particularly famous. These trees rise above the others and have achieved stardom due to their ability to grow tall.
This March, I visited Humboldt Redwoods State Park where I drove down Avenue of the Giants, parked at Big Tree Grove, and hiked to Tall Tree. I can confirm, this was plenty to get me hyped up! There is no need to search for Venti or Grande elsewhere in the park.
As I bent my back, looking up to the conifers' crowns, I began wondering- how do they do it? What's the Redwoods' secret?
After digging through several fan pages, I found some clues as to how Coastal Redwoods thrive. Here are the top theories...
Redwoods Love Water
These trees don't need protein powder or a juice cleanse to be at their best. Rather, a few hydrogens mixed with oxygen will do (aka H2O aka water). That's not to say that their drink of choice isn't fancy. In fact, around 40% of their water intake comes from fog. You heard me right! You can't find this on your typical takeout menu. This stuff is only available to those living in a cloud.
Redwoods Have Thick Skin
Redwoods know that you need thick skin in order to reach the top. Their bark can grow up to 12 inches in width; this protects the trees from regular low-intensity wildfires. However, sometimes sparks can reach through this barrier. When this happens their "heartwood" can get burned, leaving them hollow at their core*. Yet, as long as the outermost layers stay intact, Redwoods can continue to grow. They are fire-adapted! 🔥🔥🔥
*Paparazzi confirmed.
Redwoods Rely on Community
Redwoods are closer-knit than the Kardashian family. Their shallow root systems intertwine with one another to create stability during turbulent times. Together these trees can withstand many of life's storms. Additional support, however, is also crucial to help the Redwoods adapt to ever-changing developments. Organizations, such as Save the Redwoods League and the Sempervirens Fund, keep these stars rising to their full potential by reducing threats to the forests and bolstering their resilience.
Overall, the Avenue of the Giants (and redwood forests in general) is absolutely awe-inspiring. Though most find themselves starstruck walking down Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard, these trees can also bring the Gene Kelly right out of you and make you want to Sing in the Rain. By supporting these icons, we can inspire current and future generations to reach for the stars.