November 25th, 2006
in the redwoods – part three
This is the third in a series of posts on the Coast Redwood forests that we visited in September and October. Click on these links to view parts one and two.
When you’re in the redwoods, you will soon notice that new life seems to be springing from even the most ancient and decaying trees. Broken, burned, or fallen trees host new growth such as as in the above example. New trunks growing upon the crowns or lateral branches of old trees are called reiterations. (Click on images for larger views)
New growth is also seem emerging from the burls that are commonly seen on these trees. In the photo to the left, a clump of ferns occupies one large burl, while new trees emerge from a couple of smaller burls a little higher up the trunk. In time, some of these new trees will grow until they appear to be a continuation of the main trunk. If you study these large trees, you’ll find many of such growths above the main trunk.
Trees of all sizes are also seen growing from the toppled remains of older nurse trees. Young sapling trees are also found growing up from the roots of large trees. They often form a bushy ring of saplings that surround the main tree as in the photo below. From what I’ve read, fires encourage this type of sprouting of new growth at ground level and from burls or limbs further up the trunk. Droughts will also cause some dying back, followed by new growth during a wet year.
Other plants such as ferns grow in the debris that gathers up in the branches of the redwoods. In the Redwood National and State Parks Visitor Guide, it states that, “one researcher found over 1,000 pounds of leather ferns. . . growing in one soil mat.” It’s easy to see how new trees can get their start in the favourable habitat provided by an older tree.
More on the redwoods coming up sometime soon…
