In December I had the good fortune to travel along northern California’s Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile scenic drive that runs through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The “giants” in the name refers to the coastal redwoods, Sequoia sempervirens, that towered above me in silence.
This photograph may give you a glimpse of how magnificent the trees are. The tallest now living is 379 feet, comparable to a 30-story building, possibly the tallest living organism on earth. Redwoods can grow to 26 feet in diameter, large enough for a car to drive through their trunk. The most ancient known redwood is thought to be 2,200 years old – a mature tree before Christ’s birth.
You have to admire the trees for surviving so long despite fires, floods, and loggers. The redwoods have earned their botanical name’s sempervirens, meaning “evergreen” or “everlasting.” Imagine what they’ve witnessed, standing there for centuries. Think how the world has changed around them. Picture people who have passed by: Native Americans, trappers, pioneers, lumbermen, and now drivers whizzing along in cars.
Standing under those trees, I felt like a gnat on an elephant’s foot. The redwoods put my life into perspective: How important were my paltry worries compared to the trees’ enormity and age? To me, they were more like creatures than greenery. I would even call them honorable as they soothe spirits and provide shelter.
Though redwoods are far too dignified to shout, they did seem to whisper to me. And what they whispered was about patience and endurance and peace. They made me think that I want to be a redwood of a person. I want to be willing to wait while I slowly grow into what I am meant to be. I want to stand tall when “fires” sweep through my life and scare me. I want to be tranquil in a chaotic world. Redwoods have a lot to teach.
nicely written! i miss being able to go hang out in the redwoods whenever i wanted. gotta work out a plan to get back home!
I lived in a redwood forest for many years and miss it sometimes. Those trees are more than plants. Sometimes they feel like friends.
I want to stand tall when”fires” sweep through my life and scare me. I want to be tranquil in a chaotic world. Redwoods have much to teach me.”
Thanks, lovely
You’re welcome!
Rich and evocative, as always. Kristin is one of those rare writers who see both the forest and the trees.
What a kind thing to say! Thank you!
To be surrounded by such old souls must be an incredible experience.
It was an incredible experience! And I had such a feeling that those trees had spirits. They WERE old souls, just as you said.
Kristen,
Thank you. I give a lot of thought to how magnificent trees are and helps me keep it all in perspective!
Warmly,
Alex
I’m so glad you think about such things, Alex. Thank you for writing!
Avenue of the Giants was the destination of my last two visits to the coast redwoods in the past 2 months.
Had you seen the new Nat Geo magazine yet, or article online? The cover is a Giant Sequoia. I think it was the Oct. 2012 edition where they did the coast redwood.
Cheers,
M. D. Vaden of Oregon
I hadn’t seen the article, but thank you for letting me know about it. Giant Sequoias are magnificent!