Tree Plaques In The Park
Key Identifying Characteristics
Tall, evergreen conifer with reddish bark, down swept branches and dark green needles.
Height / Size
Large trees growing from 60 to 380 feet tall and up to 45 feet wide.
Leaves or Needles
Needles form a flat surface about 1 inch across, tapering to a tip with each year’s new growth. New needles are lighter green in color.
Bark / Trunk
Thick, shaggy bark is red-brown with deep furrows. Fibrous bark is reddish brown in younger trees turning gray to brown in old trees.
Flower
Redwood tree releases pollen September – November. Conifers do not produce flowers.
Fruit / Seed / Cone
Small 1 inch cones, mature in the first year.
Habitat
Foggy valleys with lots of moisture.
Location / Range
Native to the coastal fog belt from Monterey to southern Oregon, but not Pacifica. The trees in the park were planted.
Lifespan
Redwood trees can live from 800 to 2500 years.
Native / Non-native
Native
Fascinating / Fun Facts
Tallest living tree in North America. These trees have evolved to survive fire and floods. They are resistant to rot, insects, fungal infection and fire.
Read More
Sources:
Calscape
PlantID.net for San Pedro Valley CP (NRDB.org)
VanderWerf, Barbara. 1994. Montara Mountain. Gum Tree Lane Books, El Granada, CA
Lanner, Ronald M. 1999; Conifers of California; Cachuma Press (1st. ed.); Los Olivos, California