Redwood Grove Nature Trail
at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

The Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park was dedicated in 1954 to preserve this portion of redwoods and other aspects of the area. This plaque marks the spot where the park's dedication took place.

Along the Meadow Trail and then again along the River Trail, we encountered not only other folks who were hiking the trails, but also some who were riding the trails on bicycles and folks like these on horses. We not only had to listen and watch for what was coming from both fore and aft, but we also had to be watching for the "exhaust" which was plentiful along the trails. (At least the horses weren't allowed on the Redwood Grove Trail.)

These large trees are original growth coast redwoods. They are adapted to temperate, foggy, moist conditions. Never more than 20-40 miles from the ocean, they grow along a narrow band of coastline from central California to the Oregon border.

As we approached the Redwood Grove trail, we encountered a display from a tree cut down some 66 years ago. This series of pictures graphically shows the development of this tree which survived more than two millennia.

Redwood bark and wood are rich in tannic acid which gives the tree its red color. The bark's thickness and acidity repel insects, disease, fungus, and to some extent fire. These problems frequently kill other trees.

It has been over 100 years since the last fire buned through this grove. Most fires cannot penetrate redwood bark which is 7-12" thick, fibrous, and heat resistant. An intense fire may burn through the bark and hollow out a tree. If sufficient living tissue remains undamaged, the tree will continue to live and slowly heal the fire scar.

This is a Douglas fir, often found in the company of redwoods. The bark is gray and furrowed. Douglas fir needles resemble a bottle brush while redwood needles lie flat in opposite rows. Cones of a Douglas fir are about two inches long and have paper-like scales.

Circular groups of trees called Cathedral Groups or Fairy Rings are a common sight in the coast redwood forest. A redwood can sprout new trees from its roots on all sides. The young trees eventually mature, encircling the parent tree.

When trees fall they take on a new role in the life of a forest. They provide homes for insects which are food for birds and small mammals. Fallen trees also provide a nutrient-rich garden for new plants. There are three different trees growing out of this fallen tree.

The tallest tree in the park stands nearly 300' tall and over 17' wide. That's almost as tall as the Statue of Liberty. A tree this large can grow from a seed about the size of an oatmeal flake! Redwood seeds come from cones which are about an inch long and contain about 50 seeds. Most of the ground in the redwood forest is thickly covered with leaves, so seeds rarely find their way to the soil except after a fire or flood.

John C. Fremont explored this part of California from 1843 to 1846. It was said that he and his group camped here. When Fremont visited in 1888 he was asked if he ever slept in this tree. He said, "It makes a great story, let it stand."

Here is Yvonne squatting inside the "entrance" to the Fremont tree. It is possible to stand inside it and, with a flashlight, look high into the hollow center.

Two trees here have long slender leaves. The California bay tree (on the left) has a flexible leaf with a pungent odor. The tan oak leaf is stiff and has thick veins on the underside. Although not a true oak, this tree has acorns which are a valuable food source for many animals. The bark was used to tan leather hides so the tree became known as the tanbark oak.

We heard lots of birds around the grove but were not able to see many of them or get any pictures. The most commonly seen birds here are the acorn woodpecker and Stellar's jay. Deer often browse amont the trees and shrubs, especially in the morning and evening, but they all managed to avoid us. Native gray squirrels and non-native fox squirrels also live here. We did get a nice shot of a fox squirrel.

Burls are bumpy growths consisting of masses of dormant buds which are natural and do not harm the tree. If a tree is damaged or growth conditions change, burls can sprout new foliage. Some burls appear to be growing out of the ground, but they are actually growing on roots just underneath the ground.

This low-growing clover-like plant is redwood sorrel. It covers much of the ground and thrives in shady, cool conditions. When sunlight hits the leaves they fold down, resembling a closed umbrella. This helps keep the plant cool and moist.

Another shade lover is the bright yellow banana slug. Found in cool, wet places it eats fungus and decaying matter.

And speaking of fungus, this one got spotted at the base of the wooden handrail which marked the boundary of the path.

The scientific name for the coast redwood is Sequoia sempervirens - "sempervirens" means "always-living." That's apt because redwoods reproduce by sprouting new trees from their roots, the only conifer (cone-bearing tree) to do so. Roots of individual trees spread out, mingle, and fuse, which helps them withstand strong winds. A redwood tree's roots can extend hundreds of feet in every direction.

Albino redwood leaves and stems lack chlorophyll which gives plants their green color and enables them to make food. These white redwoods survive by sharing a root system with a green-leafed tree. Often only part of the tree will be white, some branches are green or a mixture of white and green.

This young giant sequoia from California's Sierra Nevada has leaves similar to a juniper. The spindly dawn redwood off to the left originates from China and is deciduous. It was thought to be extinct until 1944 when it was rediscovered in a remote valley.

After touring through the Redwood Grove we proceeded along part of the River trail which strings along beside the San Lorenzo River. We encountered a fallen redwood tree which had a section removed to clear the trail. Yvonne demonstrates how massive this tree is. Notice how far back the base of the tree goes.

This small picturesque stream approached the trail and then went under it on its way toward the river.

Also along this trail we noticed some very small but very pretty blue flowers. Norm's index finger provides an index to its size. That might be why it's called an "index" finger!