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Shady area
Redwood sorrel is one of many plants that can grow in the redwoods’ deep shade.
Photo: Julie Martin
A flower
Trillium, rhododendrons and other flowers grow in the redwood forest.
Sign of a fire (like burned wood or ash)
Naturally occurring fires help keep redwood forests healthy.
Photo: zulufriend
Water (like stream, puddle or dewdrops)
Coast redwoods soak up summer fog through their leaves.
Photo: Howard King
Seed pod or cone
Coast redwoods have olive-sized cones filled with tiny seeds.
Sunny Area
Fallen trees create spaces in the redwood forest called light gaps.
Photo: © 2009 JupiterImages Corporation
Small bits of dead leaves or bark in the soil
Dead leaves and twigs help enrich the soil in redwood forests.
Photo: Julie Martin
A tree stump or cut branch
People value redwoods’ long-lasting wood, but using too much of it means cutting more forest.
A tall plant
Coast redwoods are the tallest trees on Earth–often more than 320 feet!
Bird
Owls and other birds make their nests in redwood trees.
Photo: USFWS
Leaves chewed by insects or other animals
Beetles, moths and other insects rely on redwoods for food and shelter.
Photo: Roger Whiteway
Slug, snail, millipede or sow bug
Bright yellow banana slugs eat dead leaves that collect under redwoods.
Dry leaves or other signs of plant change
Redwoods need lots of moisture to thrive.
Tree bark
Older redwood trees have very thick bark that resists fire.
Photo: Phil Schermeister
Squirrel, deer or other mammal
Small mammals such as flying squirrels spend most of their lives high in the redwood canopy.
A mix of trees, bushes and low plants
The redwood forest is a community of different plants and animals.
A road or power line
Roads break up the forest, making it harder for the trees to stay healthy.
Photo: Howard King
Thorns or other plant protection
Special chemicals found in the bark and wood protect redwood trees from pests and disease.
Photo: NoDerog
Something surprising to you
Explorations like Mike Fay’s Redwood Transect help us learn more about redwoods.
Photo: Ruskin K Hartley
How many can you find during your transect?
