the memory of trees
Photo by Michael Nichols, National Geographic.
Fording a vein of emerald water known as the South Fork of the Eel, they climbed the far bank and entered the translucent shade of the most magnificent grove they'd seen yet. Redwoods the size of Saturn rockets sprouted from the ground like giant beanstalks, their butts blackened by fire. Some bore thick, ropy bark that spiraled skyward in candy-cane swirls. Others had huge cavities known as goose pens-after the use early pioneers put them to-big enough to hold 20 people. Treetops the size of VW buses lay half-buried among the sorrel and sword ferns, where they'd plummeted from 30 stories up-the casualties of titanic wars with the wind, which even now coursed through the tops with panpipe-like creaks and groans. It's no wonder Steven Spielberg and George Lucas filmed scenes for the Jurassic Park sequel and Return of the Jedi among the redwood giants: It felt as if a T. rex or a furry Ewok could poke its head out at any minute.
Bourne, Joel. "The Super Trees." National Geographic Oct. 2009: [http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/10/redwoods/bourne-text].
This is an integral part of my California. I did not grow up near the redwoods, but they have a small stand of redwoods at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and it was my favourite place there (rivaled only by the wildflower meadow when the poppies are in full bloom). That quote up there is so true. They are such amazing trees, so otherworldly and ethereal, but also so very much a part of the Earth.
The article talks about the history of the logging industry, which is heartbreaking to read about. I like wood products as much as anyone (furniture! paper! books!), but I cannot understand why there's so few companies who care enough to do the logging in an eco-friendly way. I love pretty much any kind of tree, but redwoods are especially dear, and I cannot fathom how anyone could stand in a forest of redwoods and even think about leveling it. They're more than just trees; they're history - and they're alive. (They have a stethoscope in the redwood stand in the SB Botanic Garden, so you can actually hear their "heartbeat.")
If you've never seen redwoods, I really hope you get the chance someday. At the very least, you can check out the [photo gallery] that goes with the article, but it's not the same. They are meant to be seen and touched and breathed.