What happened to most of the original redwood trees?

The early day logging of coast redwood in Humboldt County was destructive, dramatic, and dangerous. Giant old-growth redwoods were felled by pairs of “choppers” using double-bitted axes and long crosscut saws. Felling a single tree could take a week.



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Today, only 5% of the old-growth redwood forests remain. The majority of these 100,000 acres of remaining forests are found in assorted sections of different California state, local, and national parks.

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Many of California's old-growth redwoods — the world's tallest living things that can grow to more than 300 feet high and live 2,000 years — were cut down between the 1800s and the 1970s for decks, paneling, and even fence posts and railroad ties. Modern environmental laws and the creation of public parks ended it.

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And while the fantastic creatures of that age have long since disappeared, the redwoods continue to thrive, in the right environment. California's North Coast provides the only such environment in the world. A combination of longitude, climate, and elevation limits the redwoods' range to a few hundred coastal miles.

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Despite the difference in growing conditions from their native range, the giant redwoods seem to be enjoying the Scottish climate. Many of the biggest specimens in the UK are found in Scotland, with fine examples growing in other National Trust for Scotland gardens, such as Geilston and Craigievar, as well as Holmwood.

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With now over half a million to discover in the nation's forests, why not head to your local forest to see if you can discover one of nature's giants! You can see magnificent examples of coast and giant redwoods at Forestry England sites across England, more information can be found here.

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Coast redwoods sometimes regenerate as seedlings but more often grow from sprouts, which start easily on lateral roots or from stumps or downed logs. Young redwoods grow quickly—two to six feet a year—so that a 20-year-old tree will often be 50 feet tall and about eight inches in diameter.

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Some of the modern-day threats to redwoods include climate change; human land uses not compatible with forest health (such as development and conversion to vineyards); intense fires; people's increasing detachment from nature; illegal marijuana cultivation; and burl poaching.

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Only on the Northern California coast -- Not one but three giant redwoods offer motorists the opportunity to steer their wheels through a living tree. All are right off US Highway 101, known as the Redwood Highway, within an hour or so drive of the historic seaport of Eureka.

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Over the hundreds or thousands of years that a redwood may live, even moderate growth adds up. The evolutionary driver of bigness in redwoods may be the advantage in being good at survival. Or it may be simply be that being taller means better access to sunlight in the dark forest.

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Center Parcs Longleat Forest is home to the UK's tallest Giant Redwood tree. Officially confirmed by the Tree Register of the British Isles after being spotted by a tree-loving guest, the Giant Redwood measures up at 58m.

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