March 04, 2010

Roy's Redwoods skedaddle


click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

When torrents of rain give way to blue and sunny skies, that's my cue to skedaddle out to one of my favorite places on the planet -- Roy's Redwoods.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

I'm not going to find much water in Occasional Creek later in the year, and in fact the flow will slow to just a trickle in just a few short weeks.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

The big advantage Redwood has going for it is it's resistance to rot, so it is used widely for fence-posts, grape-stakes, railroad ties, and retaining walls -- or anything that comes into contact with the earth.

In the late 1800's and early 1900's, when the supply was "almost" inexhaustible, Redwood was used widely in general construction -- although it is not a particularly strong wood -- it splits easily.

These days most carpenters and woodworkers cherish Redwood for it's beauty and scarcity, and less for it's rot resistance.   Redwoods need to be defended -- cut down a Redwood tree and I will personally come over and confiscate your chain saw.

But O.K., say you didn't know any better -- you just cut down a Redwood tree -- Don came over and confiscated your chain saw and everything -- what now?   Well, all we've got to do now is wait about 100 years for Redwood sprouts to develop into tall new Redwoods from the roots of the old cut trees.

Most all Redwood trees here in Marin County are second-growth trees.   They are now tall and substantial trees -- you'd never guess most of them sprouted from logged trees.   (((Sparing all other attacks on their existence))) check back in one or two thousand years when they are just as fat as they used to be...



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

No Redwood trees in this photo, but typical of the hillside forest at Roy's Redwoods -- Madrone trees, Live Oaks, and a few Laurels thrown in for some curvy fun.


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1 comment:

photowannabe said...

Well done rant Don. My sentiments exactly. If I was a tree hugger Redwoods would be my choice.
Your photos want me to take a deep breath of the damp woody earth.
Ahhh, that's good stuff.

 
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