Fun Forest Facts
-
California is home to more native species of conifer trees than any other state - 52 to be exact!
-
California holds the record for the world's tallest tree, most massive tree, and the oldest tree! Can you guess what these are? coast redwood, giant sequoia, Great Basin bristlecone pine
-
California has approximately 33,000,000 acres of forest land
more info at: foresthealth.org -
The majority of our California forests are publicly owned - National and State Parks, US Forest Service, etc.
more info at: clfa.org -
Do porcupines have predators? Yes, pacific fishers, eagles, great horned owls and mountain lions have been known to prey upon porcupines. To learn more about porcupines go to the San Diego Zoo
more info at: sandiegozoo.org -
Over 35 million seedling trees are planted each year in California
more info at: clfa.org -
What is the benefit of urban trees?
more info at: support.nature.org -
How much lumber does it take to frame an average 2,000 square foot home? 13,000 board feet of lumber. Lets say a 22" diameter tree is 100 feet tall and has a total of 500 board feet. We would need about 26 of these trees to build a house.
more info at: nahb.org -
Pacific Yew trees grow in Northern California. The bark produces a compound called taxol, which is used by doctors to treat ovarian and breast cancer.
-
Each year the average American uses over 43 cubic feet of wood and 681 pounds of paper or the equivalent of one 100-foot tall tree, 18 inches in diameter.
more info at: idahoforests.org -
Tree bark may be used to help clean up oil spills. Studies have shown that pine bark can absorb up to four times its weight in oil.
more info at: fao.org -
Trees have numerous uses in Native American culture. A few of these uses include: food, medicinal teas, natural dye, building material for canoes & homes, strips of bark and roots to make baskets and mats, and bark extract to tan animal hides.
-
Many trees benefit from mutualistic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi found in the soil. The fungus enters the root and grows between the root cells. Hormones given off by the fungus cause branching of the roots which increases the amount of water and nutrients the roots can absorb. In turn, the fungus receives nutrients made by the tree. Some mycorrhizal fungi even have antibiotic properties to protect the tree roots from parasitic fungi that could otherwise harm the tree roots. (Lanner, Conifers of CA)
Read More -
What is lichen and does it hurt trees? Lichens are formed by a mutualistic relationship between algae and fungus. The fungus serves as the structural support and protects the lichen from drying out during dry weather. The algae produces food by photosynthesis.
-
Lichen are very good at absorbing and storing water. They add to the humidity of the forest as they slowly release moisture after the rain/snow has stopped. Lichen also provide important habitat for a number of small forest creatures. Although lichen often grows on trees, it does not harm them.
Read More -
Usnea is a common lichen that can be found in many parts of the world. It contains usnic acid which has antifungal and antibiotic properties. It also has a very soft and hairlike structure - thus its nickname, "old man's beard". These characteristics were useful for Native Americans who used Usnea as a gauze covering to prevent infection of wounds. Usnea is high in vitamin C and was taken orally to treat respiratory and urinary tract infections. (Edible and Medicinal plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, ISBN 0-87842-359-1)
Read More -
Ghost Trees?? Albino redwood trees are rare. Due to a genetic mutation, they cannot make chlorophyll and their leaves are white. In order to survive they graft their roots to normal redwood trees from which they get nutrients. One of these rare trees can be seen in Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
Read More -
The coast redwood tree is unlike any other conifer found in North America because of its ability to re-sprout from the stump. These sprouts have been known to grow up to six feet in only one year.
