San Vicente Redwoods is green with new growth

Santa Cruz Mountains coast redwoods ecosystem emerges from ashes of CZU Complex fire

New growth at San Vicente Redwoods following the 2020 CZU Complex fire. Photo by Kyle Cooper.

As we’ve discussed beforeroughly half of the San Vicente Redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains burned during last year’s CZU Complex Fire. We’ve spent a great deal of time on the property recently with our partners on the project to assess the effects of fire and its implications for restoration. On a trip to the property last week, we got a great look at how the coast redwood ecosystem reacts to fire damage. There’s a lot of green coming through, both from the trees and the understory. We’ll share more in coming weeks, but in the meantime check out these cool photos.

resprouting at SVR
Green shoots on the trunk of a coast redwood at San Vicente Redwoods. Photo by Kyle Cooper.
regrowth at SVR
New sprouting shows how resilient coast redwoods can be following a fire. Photo by Kyle Cooper.

 

SVR after CZU fire
San Vincente Redwoods showing a lot of new growth around the base of coast redwoods. Photo by Kyle Cooper.

Owned by POST and Sempervirens Fund, 8,532-acre San Vicente is the largest privately held property between Silicon Valley and the Pacific Ocean and connects 27,500 acres of contiguous protected woodland. Save the Redwoods League holds a conservation easement that permanently protects the land from subdivision and development, while providing the opportunity for restoration and scientific research, as well as sustainable timber harvesting on portions of the property. The League directs restoration projects, monitors timber harvests, and ensures the protection of old-growth redwoods and important habitats. 

About the author

Since 1918, Save the Redwoods League has protected and restored redwood forests and connected people with their peace and beauty so these wonders of the natural world flourish.

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One Response to “San Vicente Redwoods is green with new growth”

  1. Roger Watson

    San Vicente, Big Basin should look great if there are no more fires, in the next 400 years.
    Rebuild Big Basin? How do you “rebuild” when the park is ashes? Besides all the fallen trees, many of the standing trees will be falling for years to come. Think twice before hiking Skyline To The Sea, Sunset Trail, Chalk Mountain, Westridge, Berry Creek Falls, and most other connector trails. Besides being dangerous, there is almost nothing left. “You May be cited”.
    Better to spend the money on saving other forests that have not been burnt yet!

    Reply

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