In the heart of a once lush old growth redwood forest that was heavily logged in 1968, a National Park Service forester points to a chaotic tangle of slender trees, tightly packed at a density of 900 per acre, making it difficult to navigate. Just a short distance away lies a section that was thinned out 20 years ago, reducing the number of trees per acre to fewer than 300. The redwoods in this area are significantly larger in diameter and healthier, with a greener and more diverse understory.
According to Jason Teraoka, the forester, “In the untreated forest, trees lack vigor and are vulnerable to stressors such as fire, wind, and pests. However, in the thinned forest, we see greater diameter and crown growth, resulting in a more robust forest that is less susceptible to disturbances.”
The thinning project, known as Redwoods Rising, is focused on creating old growth redwood forests for the future. Led by Redwood National and State Parks and Save the Redwoods League, this initiative involves using chainsaws, logging equipment, and prescribed fires to emulate the characteristics of a healthy young redwood forest. The goal is to undo the damage caused by decades of unchecked logging and haphazard reseeding. It is believed that these treated forest stands, or similar tree communities, will eventually develop into the iconic cathedral-like groves of redwoods over the next few centuries.
This endeavor is also a response to the challenges posed by a changing climate. “We are working towards restoring these forests to enhance their resilience so they can withstand hotter and drier climates,” says Ben Blom, the director of stewardship and restoration for the Save the Redwoods League. “Logging has left behind an unnatural and unhealthy forest. Our aim is to make these stands as healthy as possible.”
Additionally, conservationists and park officials hope that this work will contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change. Redwoods have the capacity to absorb and store more carbon than any other tree species due to their towering height and longevity. Some redwoods are over 2,000 years old. California is home to the world’s only native coast redwood forest, which extends over 450 miles from central California to southern Oregon. However, the future of this unique ecosystem is uncertain. A recent study revealed that the redwood forest is drying out as temperatures rise. Since the late 19th century, average summer temperatures in California have increased by 3 degrees.
Steve Sillett, a professor of redwood forest ecology at Cal Poly Humboldt and lead author of the study, expresses concerns about the ability of redwoods to survive under increasingly hot and dry conditions. He states, “A lot of worries revolve around whether the conditions will become too hot and dry for the species to persist. My guess is that they will persist, but they will be stunted.”
Redwoods face risks due to their height, as they have to transport water hundreds of feet against gravity and friction. Extended periods of hotter drought, like those experienced between 2012 and 2016, can push trees to their limits. Furthermore, higher temperatures increase the risk of wildfires. Thinning the forest aims to provide enough space for trees to develop thicker bark, increasing their resistance to fire. Additionally, wider spacing allows more light to reach the forest floor, fostering a vibrant ecosystem.
While the coastal redwoods are coping relatively better with the changing climate compared to their inland counterparts, the giant sequoias in the Sierra foothills, they are not immune to threats. The giant sequoias have been significantly affected by fires and insects, with a loss of 20% of the monarch trees. Mr. Blom describes it as an “existential crisis for the sequoias.”
The historic logging of California’s unique forest was a haphazard endeavor, with 95% of the old growth being cut down. The coast redwood forest was once publicly owned but was transferred to private ownership through the Timber and Stone Act of 1878. Individuals could claim 160-acre blocks of ancient redwoods for a mere $2.50 per acre, and companies paid individuals to claim the land, acquiring it at a low cost. The most valuable part of the redwoods were their heartwood, known for its water-resistant properties. These redwood staves were used to build large pipelines that transported water for mining or power generation. Without them, the transformation of the West into an industrial powerhouse would have been less impactful.
In the 1950s and 1960s, as logging companies such as Georgia Pacific and Arcata Redwoods targeted the remaining old trees, a movement emerged to protect them. 55 years ago, 10,000 acres of land were set aside to establish the first national park aimed at safeguarding the majestic cathedral-like groves. However, before the adjacent virgin forest of around 90,000 acres, owned by timber companies, could be protected by federal action, these companies swooped in and intensified their cutting activities. “They logged in double shifts and ignored requests from Congress not to log along Redwood Creek,” explains Greg King, author of “The Ghost Forest – Racists, Radicals, and Real Estate in the California Redwoods.” This resulted in the destruction of a significant portion of the old-growth forest planned for the park’s expansion. King refers to it as “one of the great American tragedies.”
Today, the protected land encompasses one national park and three California state parks, totaling nearly 132,000 acres. However, due to logging, the old growth portion of the designated area has been reduced to about half.
The Redwoods Rising thinning project, initiated in 2020 and funded annually with $10 to $12 million, is also addressing the consequences of excessive helicopter reseeding conducted by the timber industry. This reseeding has led to the overgrowth of redwood and Douglas fir forests as seen today. Dr. Sillett commends the league’s restoration efforts, stating, “They have focused on young, overcrowded forests, and thinning them makes ecological sense as it promotes the growth of the retained trees.”
Not all researchers agree that thinning is the best approach for managing these forests. In a recent paper, Dr. Will Russell, a professor of environmental studies at San Jose State University, argues that removing large numbers of trees can compact the soil, invite invasive species, and increase temperatures by opening up the canopy. He believes that leaving the tracts untouched is a more sensible approach and will eventually result in a healthy redwood forest, even though it may take longer. “The density of small trees may make people nervous, but over time, redwoods will outgrow them and the dominance of Douglas firs will diminish. This tipping point usually occurs within 60 to 80 years,” says Dr. Russell.
In addition to the overgrown forests, logging has left scars on the landscape in the form of giant stumps and deep road imprints. “Every tree had a road to it,” remarks Neal Youngblood, a geologist with the National Park Service overseeing road removal. He describes how roads were built everywhere, often crossing over creeks using makeshift bridges made from fallen trees covered in dirt.
The Redwoods Rising project represents a collective effort to restore the magnificent redwood forests and ensure their resilience in the face of a changing world. It is a vital endeavor to preserve these ancient giants and protect their invaluable contributions to our environment and the fight against climate change.
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