Why do redwoods live longer than other trees?

THE QUESTION is often asked, Why do the Sequoias live so long? The answer is probably to be found in the fact that, whether dead or alive, they are remarkably resistant to the natural enemies of the forest. In general, there are three important enemies of dead or living mature trees: namely, insects, fungi, and fire.



People Also Ask

Fewer than 120,000 acres, or 5 percent, of the original redwood forest remains today. It's a tragedy to have lost most of the ancient redwoods; however, science-based forest restoration holds the key to bringing back what we've lost.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

As its nickname suggests, giant or coastal redwoods thrive in the moist, humid climate of the Northern California coast, where marine fog delivers precise conditions necessary for its growth. The fog adds moisture to the soil and helps trap it there by lowering the rate of evaporation.

MORE DETAILS

Redwoods are so huge, a single tree itself can be habitat for an incredible number of species. When redwoods shed their foliage, much of it accumulates in the branches and decomposes to become soil, or canopy soil, where other species of plant seeds and fungi spores can sprout.

MORE DETAILS

Only 5% of Redwoods are Left Because redwoods are extremely resistant to insects, fire and rot, they are treasured for building and 95% of them have been cut down since the 1850s 26.

MORE DETAILS

Threats to your Redwoods
  • Phytophthora Root Rot. Phytophthora root rot is caused by a soil-borne organism. ...
  • Armillaria Root Rot. Armillaria root rot rarely infects healthy coast redwoods. ...
  • Botryosphaeria Canker. ...
  • Watering Issues. ...
  • Pests.


MORE DETAILS

Climate change, and its current and projected interactions with these stressors, jeopardizes the redwoods' ability to survive and thrive into the future.

MORE DETAILS