How many redwood trees are there in california

The League does not support clearcutting a practice in which virtually all of the trees in a given area are uniformly cut down in the redwood forest. While clearcutting may be appropriate in certain forest types — in some parts of the Boreal, or in some of the catastrophic fire-driven pine forests in the southeastern U. My neighbor or someone in my community is planning a timber harvest on their private land. What can I do? If you have issues with the timber harvest plan, please contact the local planning or land use authorities in your city or county.

The League does not take a position on timber harvest plans on private land, but we appreciate having this information in case it relates to a landowner we are working with or a project we are working on in the area. Someone in my neighborhood wants to cut down redwoods on their own or someone else's property. What can I do about this? In most cases, people are fully within their rights to cut down redwoods on their own property.

You can contact your local city council or other community organization to try to make a case for the value of redwoods in the community. Land Acquisitions How does the League determine which properties to purchase? Our Vibrant Forest Plan guides our efforts to protect and restore redwood forests. This science-based plan identifies areas to focus our activities upon, and enables us to efficiently evaluate and respond to conservation opportunities as they arise.

We evaluate properties according to 16 criteria in the Vibrant Forest Plan, including:. When the League purchases a property, how does the League determine what price to pay?

We rely on an independent assessment of value by a professional appraiser. The League pays fair market value, unless the landowner is willing to donate the property or sell it at a reduced price.

Why does it cost so much to buy redwood forestland and the surrounding landscapes? The value of redwood forestland and surrounding landscapes can vary widely depending on the location, the value of the timber, and competing land uses e. In all instances our purchases are based upon an independent assessment of value. Save the Redwoods League works with willing land owners either to buy property or to provide guidance on how to steward their redwood lands.

Our decisions to work with land owners are guided by our science-based Vibrant Forest Plan. Each property is evaluated on 16 different criteria to determine the best possible outcome for the redwoods. We receive inquires year-round on properties ranging from huge swaths of forest, to small private parcels, to land with few or no redwoods at all.

Many of the properties that we evaluate do not meet the criteria for us to buy or steward the property. Some properties fall outside of our science-based Vibrant Forest Plan while other projects simply may not have enough ecological, scenic or historic significance. Still, we acknowledge that every parcel in California is important to all of us, and we wish we could protect them all. Since we have limited resources, we carefully follow our guidelines to advance our mission to protect these magical places and connect people to the wonder of the redwoods.

Land owners are not obligated to work with us and owners may have legal rights to clear the trees and develop or convert the land to other use. Restoration How are roads removed during a restoration project? The League supports restoration of redwood forests. Some of the forests we protect were owned by timber companies. These companies built roads through the forest for trucks and machinery.

To keep the forest healthy, we reshape the land so it looks like it was before the road installation. In time, plants and trees grow, concealing evidence of the road. Why does the League support the cutting of trees in forest restoration projects such as Mill Creek?

To ensure the long-term health and survival of redwood forests, Save the Redwoods League takes a comprehensive and holistic approach to their protection and care. And in some cases, as in our restoration efforts, removing younger trees actually promotes the health of redwood forests by giving trees that are struggling and competing with one another the space, light and water they need to grow.

Why is fire necessary for redwoods? Fire is a natural and necessary part of coast redwood and giant sequoia forests. Fire sustains the health of these forests when it occurs frequently at low or moderate intensity by.

Why can fire can be a threat to the forest? Fire suppression results in the accumulation of combustible vegetation that can fuel catastrophic wildfires. In contrast to cool and moderate fires that sustain the redwood forest, hot and intense fires are more likely to destroy forests and kill even the biggest, most resilient redwoods and giant sequoias. How is Save the Redwoods League reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires?

Conservation Easements What is a conservation easement? A conservation easement, sometimes called a conservation agreement or land protection agreement, is among the tools the League uses to protect redwoods. It is a voluntary contract between a landowner and the League that permanently limits uses of the land to protect its natural resources such as old-growth redwood forests.

The contract allows the landowner to continue to own and use the land and to sell it or pass it on to heirs. In making the agreement, the League agrees to monitor the land forever to ensure compliance with its terms. Does the League establish conservation easements or accept donations of land? The League enters into conservation easements and may accept donations of land if they fit into our Vibrant Forest Plan.

Planting and Caring for Redwoods A redwood or sequoia in my backyard is looking unhealthy or falling. Can the League visit or provide information on helping this tree? The best way to help your tree is to contact an arborist or a tree care specialist in your community because they will be familiar with your local climate and the special needs of trees in your area.

You could contact the Tree Care Industry Association external link to find an accredited tree care company in your area, or call this association at This Tree Care Industry Association contact information is provided for your convenience. Save the Redwoods League makes no guarantees in connection with tree care services. Can I plant a coast redwood or a giant sequoia in my yard, and will it thrive if I live outside California?

Many people take great pleasure from planting iconic, inspirational redwoods. Keep in mind that these trees need certain climatic conditions to truly thrive.

Mature redwoods require a lot of space coast redwoods can be up to 24 feet in diameter; giant sequoias up to 30 feet in diameter. Limbs of old redwoods can cause major damage to structures when they fall. Whether you live within or outside of California, we recommend planting trees that are native to your area. For more information, visit SaveTheRedwoods. You may contact the Tree Care Industry Association external link to find an accredited tree care company in your area or call What kind of soil and climate conditions are best for redwoods?

Coast redwoods and giant sequoias thrive in the moist, well-drained soils found throughout much of their natural ranges. In addition to their dependence on moisture, coast redwoods also are susceptible to frost damage if subjected to extended periods below freezing. Melting snowpack in the spring and summer delivers the moisture that sequoias need to survive the summer droughts typical of this area.

Coast Redwoods are conifers— meaning they are woody plants that produce seeds in cones. The cones are only about 1 inch long, and each cone can contain many seeds. Few of the seeds will germinate, so redwoods can also sprout new trees from the root of a parent tree or from burls, which contain thousands of dormant buds. The seedlings that survive grow quickly— sometimes more than 1 foot per year! Redwoods were named for the reddish color of their bark and heartwood.

The wood from conifers is considered a soft wood as opposed to the hard wood produced by maple, oak, and walnut trees. Redwood has a rich red color, is easy to work with, and is resistant to rot. Because of these unique characteristics, redwood became a highly sought after wood.

The logging industry began to develop on the north coast in the s. Many buildings, railroad ties, furnishings, and other items have been created with redwood. Trees store carbon dioxide, which makes them an important ally in fighting climate change. But according to research , coast redwoods store more CO2 than any other forest in the world They hold 2, metric tons of carbon per hectare 2. Which is to say, if their majesty isn't enough to woo the unmoved, how about that they are working to save the world?

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List of Partners vendors. By Melissa Breyer. Melissa Breyer. She is a sustainability expert and author whose work has been published by the New York Times and National Geographic, among others. Learn about our editorial process. Updated October 8,