Redwoods

By Kieran

 Ode to the Coast Redwoods of California



Original artwork of a hillside cabin surrounded by Redwoods and an original ode by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, inspired by the gargantuan Sequoia sempervirens native to California, we have 3 of these giants in our backyard



The Coast Sequoia Redwoods are giants of the forest, standing over 300 feet tall
A marvel of nature that started life around the time of Julius Caesar's footfall

Their 12-inch thick reddish fibrous bark is insect, disease and fire resistant
Cyclical forest fires burn everything, trigger sprouting of cones into existence

The new seedlings grow only in high fire ash content too toxic for competing trees
Providing a headstart over the competition; redwoods can drink water from the breeze 

But here's the most surprsing part of these giants - they grow only in clusters
With shallow intertwining roots less than two meters deep they become blockbusters

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