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Redwoods: The World's Largest Trees

1995

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Synopsis

Redwoods: The World's Largest Trees by Jeremy Joan Hewes offers an accessible exploration of the ancient coniferous giants native to the Pacific Coast and Sierra Nevada mountains of California. The book serves as both a natural history overview and a visual tribute, examining the distinct biology and life cycles of the coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and the massive giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum). Hewes breaks down the unique ecological conditions—such as coastal fog dependence, fire-resistant bark, and massive root networks—that allow these ancient botanical marvels to reach extraordinary heights, immense girth, and lifespans spanning thousands of years.

In addition to explaining the science behind their survival and growth, the book chronicles the complex history of human interaction with these grand forests. Hewes details the dramatic impact of 19th- and 20th-century industrial logging, which decimated large swaths of old-growth stands, and contrasts this exploitation with the early conservation movement led by pioneers like John Muir and the Save the Redwoods League. Through vivid descriptions and accompanying photography, Redwoods emphasizes the ongoing need to preserve and protect these fragile, irreplaceable ecosystems for future generations.

Suggested Reading

The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring

Hidden away in foggy, uncharted rain forest valleys in Northern California are the largest and tallest organisms the world has ever sustained–the coast redwood trees, Sequoia sempervirens. Ninety-six percent of the ancient redwood forests have been destroyed by logging, but the untouched fragments t...

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Coast Redwood: A Natural and Cultural History

Coast Redwood: A Natural and Cultural History, co-edited and co-authored by ecologist Michael G. Barbour alongside a team of scientists, historians, and conservationists, offers a comprehensive exploration of Sequoia sempervirens, the world's tallest living organism. Published by the Save the Redwoo...

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