Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve

Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve may be one of the most serene places on earth!

On our way back from lunch at Café Reyes we decided to explore a little more of the area between the coast and Santa Rosa. That took us through charming little towns like Guerneville and beautiful vineyards along the Russian River.

Coast redwoods range from southern Oregon to central California, extending not more than fifty miles inland- only as far as the coastal climate has its influence. Fog plays a vital role in the survival of these trees, protecting them from the summer drought conditions typical of this area. They also need abundant winter rain and moderate year round temperatures. In ideal conditions a coast redwood can grow 2-3 feet in height annually, but when the trees are stressed from lack of moisture and sunlight they may grow as little as one inch per year.

Because these trees are so tall, the treetop needles are exposed to more dry heat than the needles of branches in the dense canopy below. To compensate for this, redwoods grow treetop needles with tight spikes that conserve moisture, due to little evaporative surface. The lower branches, on the other hand, produce flat needles in order to catch additional light through the thick canopy of branches.

These trees have shallow root systems that extend over one hundred feet from the base, intertwining with the roots of other redwoods. This increases their stability during strong winds and floods.

Redwoods are naturally resistant to insects, fungi, and fire because they are high in tannin and do not produce resin or pitch. Their thick, reddish, pithy bark also provides protection and insulation for the tree. Even a downed tree can survive The blackened hollows you will see when you walk through the grove were caused by a fire in 1926, and are a testament to the trees’ remarkable ability to survive.

Redwood trees flower during the wet and rainy months of December and January. They produce cones that mature the next fall. Redwood cones are about an inch long and they produce tiny seeds, about the same size as a tomato seed. While each tree can produce 100,000 seeds annually, the germination rate is very low. Most redwoods grow more successfully from sprouts that form around the base of a tree, utilizing the nutrients and root system of a mature tree. When the parent tree dies, a new generation of trees rise, creating a circle of trees that are often called fairy rings.

Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve

On our prior visit we had wanted to visit Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve but it was closed due to wildfires that threatened the area. So since we were so near the park, we decided to see if it had reopened. YAY! It was opened and free for all who want to visit.

According to their website: “The serene, majestic beauty of this Grove is a living reminder of the magnificent primeval redwood forest that covered much of this area before logging operations began during the 19th century. Armstrong Redwoods preserves stately and magnificent Sequoia sempervirens, commonly known as the coast redwood. These trees stand together as a testament to the wonders of the natural world. The grove offers solace from the hustle and bustle of daily life, offering the onlooker great inspiration and a place for quiet reflection.”

Believe it or not the ancient coast redwood is the tallest living thing on our planet!  These incredible trees live to be 500 to1,000 years old or more, grow to a diameter of 12-16 feet, and stand from 200-250 feet tall. Some trees manage to live to over 2,000 years and soar to above 350 feet. Coast redwoods are classified as temperate rainforests and they need wet and mild climates to survive. And since the rainfall in Armstrong Redwoods averages 55-inches per year and the trees are often shrouded in a mystical fog that helps to maintain the moist conditions needed for the redwoods to survive, Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve is an ideal location to enjoy these giants.

Pioneers of Preservation

Colonel James B. Armstrong moved from Ohio to California in 1874. He was a land investor and purchased acreage in these forests. This let him to a deep appreciation of the redwoods. Having witnessed the alarming rate of destruction from logging, he and his family became champions and local pioneers of preservation. Colonel Armstrong devoted his later years to saving Armstrong Woods for future generations.

Armstrong passed away in 1900 but his family and friends continued his early and vital preservation efforts.

The oldest child of James Armstrong, Lizzie Armstrong Jones, had assisted her father in many of his land dealings. In 1898 she inherited Armstrong Woods from her sister. Together with Lizzie’s husband Parson Jones, family friends and fellow landowner Harrison LeBaron, she worked for years to make Armstrong Woods public property.

In 1916 she was successful in her efforts, and Armstrong Woods became a county park. In 1934 it became part of the California State Park system.

Fire Ecology

Most of the mature trees in Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve show signs of having been burned, but it’s not clear just when these trees experienced fire.

Due to their amazing fire resistance, most redwoods are able to survive fires. The thick fibrous bark contains tannin instead of resin. The tannin is what keeps all but the hottest fire from penetrating the trees. When a fire does reach the heartwood, or core, of the tree, it creates a cavity, known as a goose pen by early European settlers. The redwood tree adapts to its hollowed trunk by strengthening its base on either side of the cavity. The additional growth is called a buttress and gives the tree additional stability.

It sounds odd, but fire is actually essential for germination of redwood seeds because it reduces fungal infection.

About Coast Redwoods

Coast redwoods can be found from southern Oregon to central California, and only extend a maximum of 50 miles inland, since that’s as far as the coastal climate has its influence. Fog plays a vital role in the survival of these trees, protecting them from the summer drought conditions typical of this area. They also need lots of winter rain and moderate year round temperatures. In ideal conditions a coast redwood can grow 2-3 feet in height annually,. But when the trees are stressed from lack of moisture and sunlight they may grow as little as one inch per year.

Because these trees are so tall, the treetop needles are exposed to more dry heat than the needles of branches in the dense canopy below. To compensate for this, redwoods grow treetop needles with tight spikes that conserve moisture, due to little evaporative surface. The lower branches, on the other hand, produce flat needles in order to catch additional light through the thick canopy of branches.

These trees have shallow root systems that extend over 100-feet from the base, intertwining with the roots of other redwoods. This is what increases their stability during strong winds and floods.

Redwoods are naturally resistant to insects, fungi, and fire because they are high in tannin and do not produce resin or pitch. Their thick, reddish, pithy bark also provides protection and insulation for the tree. Even a fallen tree can survive. The blackened hollows that we saw while walking through the grove were caused by a fire in 1926, and are a testament to the trees’ remarkable ability to survive.

Redwood trees flower during the wet and rainy months of December and January. They produce cones that will be mature the next autumn. Redwood cones are about an inch long and they produce tiny seeds that are about the same size as a tomato seed. While each tree can produce 100,000 seeds annually, the germination rate is very low. Most redwoods grow more successfully from sprouts that form around the base of a tree, utilizing the nutrients and root system of a mature tree. When the parent tree dies, a new generation of trees rise, creating a circle of trees that are often called fairy rings.

Companions of the Redwoods

A mixture of trees and shrubs creates a multi-layered canopy that supports the growth of each species in the grove. Diversity is critical to the redwood forest. Every plant, tree, and even fallen logs, play a crucial role. A whole variety of trees, shrubs and ground cover can be found in Redwood groves including Douglas Fir, Big Leaf Maple, California Bay Laurel (these are the bay leaves used in cooking), Tan Oak (tannic acid is derived from the bark of these trees and used to tan leather), California Hazel which produces nuts (Native Indians made baskets from the stems of this shrub), Woodrose, Redwood Trillium (a member of the lily family), Redwood Sorrel, Sword Fern and Bracken Fern whose roots were used by Native Americans to weave baskets.

The more I learn about these majestic trees and their environment, the more I am enthralled with them!