Hi there! Today, we’re going on an exciting journey to learn about some of the tallest trees in the world: the redwoods. My friend Squeaks and I are planning a research trip to see these incredible trees in person at the Redwood National and State Parks. But before we go, we want to learn all about them!
Redwoods, also known as coast redwoods, grow on the western coast of North America. They have a beautiful pinkish-red wood and are a type of conifer tree. This means they have seeds hidden in cones and long, thin needles for leaves. You might have seen conifer trees like pine trees around your neighborhood, too!
What really sets redwoods apart is their size. These trees can grow over 100 meters tall, which is like stacking five big trucks on top of each other! Their trunks are so wide that it can take more than 15 adults holding hands to hug one tree. And they live for a very long time, with some trees being over a thousand years old!
It’s amazing to think that these giant trees start from tiny seeds, about the size of a tomato seed. But how do these little seeds survive in a forest full of big trees? Well, redwoods have a special trick. They wait for wildfires to clear out other plants, allowing more sunlight to reach the ground. This makes space for the baby redwoods to grow.
Redwoods are fire-dependent, meaning they rely on fires to help their seeds grow. But don’t worry, adult redwoods have thick, wet bark that protects them from fire. After a fire, the adult redwoods and their seedlings are often the only plants left, giving them a great start.
Getting water is a bit tricky for young redwoods. In a dense forest, there might not be enough room for their roots to spread out. Plus, wildfires happen when it’s dry, so water can be scarce. That’s why many new redwoods don’t come from seeds. Instead, they grow from the roots of older trees. This way, they can use the older tree’s roots to get the water they need and grow quickly, sometimes as fast as a meter per year!
Sometimes, you’ll see a ring of young trees growing from the roots of an ancient redwood. It’s like a family of trees all connected underground!
Squeaks and I are excited to learn more about these amazing trees before we visit them. We can’t wait to share everything we discover with you! If you’re curious about redwoods and want to explore more science, be sure to join us on our adventure. See you next time!
Tree Hugging Experiment: Find a tree in your neighborhood or local park and try to hug it with your friends or family. How many people does it take to hug the tree? Compare this with the redwoods, which need more than 15 adults to hug one! Discuss why redwoods might need such wide trunks. Think about how their size helps them survive in the forest.
Seed Planting Activity: Plant a small seed, like a tomato seed, in a pot at home. Watch it grow over time and think about how this tiny seed could become a big plant. Imagine how a tiny redwood seed grows into a giant tree. Discuss what plants need to grow and how redwoods use special tricks like wildfires to help their seeds grow.
Family Tree Connection: Draw a picture of a big tree and add smaller trees around it to represent the young redwoods growing from the roots of an older tree. Talk about how these trees are like a family, all connected underground. Discuss why being connected might help the young trees survive and grow.
