Armstrong Redwoods State National Reserve - May 2024
While visiting Santa Rosa, I took a trip into the Armstrong Redwoods National State Reserve, home to one of California's last old-growth redwood forests. These massive trees, some exceeding 1400 years old and towering at 300 feet, elicit a sense of awe and humility, reminding us of our insignificance and unique position in the grand scheme of life. The forest floor beams with diversity, from Oxalis oregana and Polystichum munitum to Notholithocarpus densiflora and Acer macrophyllum, and you can’t forget the banana slugs and salamanders!
Hiking out of the forest and up the ridge, we encountered numerous drought-tolerant trees such as Umbellularia calfornica, Arbutus menziesii, Quercus kellogii, and Quercus agrifolia, among others. See my observations below.
As I mentioned in a previous post, coast redwoods stand as the tallest trees on earth, with the tallest reaching a staggering 379 feet. Their presence on the west coast is precious, albeit diminished due to historical logging. These ancient trees, some as old as 2200 years, play a vital role in supporting endangered species like the northern spotted owl and nurturing a diverse ecosystem—some trees are an entire ecosystem in themselves. However, their past is marred by the devastation of 19th-century logging, underscoring the urgency of conservation efforts today.
The bay area's blend of Southern California and Northern Oregon ecosystems reminds me so much of growing up in California and living in Northern Oregon now. Discovering new taxa within familiar families is always so exciting; it's like meeting an friend's sibling or something, haha. Also, the role of fire in shaping this landscape cannot be overstated. Natural fire regimes are essential for curbing understory competition and replenishing nutrients for forest renewal. During my visit, I saw burn scars on the redwoods, testifying to their endurance and adaptations to this climate.
It's truly inspiring to experience the magnitude of these incredible trees. Words often fall short in capturing the experience of being surrounded by such ancient, majestic forests. For someone like me, who loves trees, it was a beautiful experience!
Colonol Armstrong Redwood 1400 Years Old, 308 feet tall - Sequoia sempervirens
Redwoods with Big Leaf Maple in the understory
Ensatina eschscholtzii
Ensatina eschscholtzii - Look closely and you can see two!
Notholithocarpus densiflorus
Polystichum munitum
Notholithocarpus densiflorus
Asarum caudatum and Oxalis oregana
Clintonia andrewsiana
Banana slug
Violet ocellata
Redwood understory
Iris douglasiana
Arbutus menziesii
Diplacus aurantiacus
Diplacus aurantiacus
Eschscholzia caepitosa
