Compacted root zones & tree health - giganteum & other trees

Dear Charles,
 
I stopped by the ranger station today and one of the rangers said the giganteum do have a shallow root system.  The expert was not in the office, but I got to thinking about your statement.  I realized that logically you are correct, even if the tree didn't have a shallow root system.  If hundreds and thousands of people walk under a tree it is bound to get compacted soil which would in turn affect water and mineral absorption and air to the roots - this would be true of any other plant as well.  We hear so much about keeping the root zone of oaks protected from compaction - the same must and should be true for the redwood giants too.  It would be different if just a few people walked by or a deer occasionally - but we are talking about thousands of visitors to these trees - it would be interesting to see if the USFS has considered this in overall their plan for the tourists visiting the big tree parks.
 
After writing all of the above and thinking - heh - I knew all this - just didn't think of it when I was visiting the trees in the role of a tourist.  I looked on the internet and found a great site from Colorado State University which explains how roots of trees grow, how they get their water and minerals and how a tree can stay healthy, so I thought I would share.  http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/02926.html
 
Thanks, Charles, for reminding us to be more aware of our surroundings and how we can help keep plant life safe.
 
Linda Starr
Springville Gardens
----- Original Message -----
From: c*@charter.net
To: m*@ocsnet.net
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 11:19 PM
Subject: Re: Sequoiadendron gigantium - little known groves?

Please let us know. I remember reading this on a placard near one of the trees many years ago. And they had a very short log circle around the tree and asked people not to go inside. Please do check with the people. I would like to know the present feeling about this!
---Chas---
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On Dec 02, 2004, at 6:30 PM, Linda Starr wrote:

Dear Charles,
 

I had never heard that walking near the giant redwoods was detrimental - I will stop at the ranger station on my way out tomorrow and ask them about that - also I have a lady working for me who works for a Plant Biologist for the state and I will check with her as well.  If that is indeed true you would think the forest service would have fences around the base of the trees - a few they do but most they don't.
 
Linda Starr
Springville Gardens
----- Original Message -----
From: Charles Dills
To: Linda Starr ; medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 5:11 PM
Subject: Re: Sequoiadendron gigantium - little known groves?

I think it is probably important to warn visitors to these marvelous giants. I understand that the easiest way to damage these trees is to walk close to them. Apparently they have a shallow root system. While this is difficult to believe, it is said that you should not walk up to the tree. You should stay a rather considerable distance away, at least twenty feet, probably more. I hope somebody on the list that knows the details a bit better than I do will inform us. Don't let our adulation and awe of these tremendous trees be one of the causes of their demise. ---Chas---
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On Dec 02, 2004, at 9:54 AM, Linda Starr wrote:


Hello,
 
We thought we had gone to all the giant redwood groves in California till we moved to Springville.  We visited several groves last weekend just above town - and we were again amazed and in awe.  The wonderful thing about our day trip up to the "big trees" last weekend was that literally no one was up there - possibly because of Thanksgiving weekend.  I have included a USFS site for those wanting to visit any of these big tree locations.  http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/recreation/giant_sequoia_groves.html    There are several other groves we want to visit in the future from this list, including one on private land.  It was really a pleasure to be able to walk around these trees without all the crowds some of the big tree parks have.
 
Some of these groves have been closed temporarily to the public due to a large fire we had this summer that came within a mile or so of several groves, so call the USFS station before taking a trip.  Thankfully the fire was contained just short of the area.   Also this time of year some parks can be closed due to snow.    
 
I can't wait to take another trip up there - it was so quiet up there - it gave me the feeling of being the only person on earth standing among those giants.
 
Linda Starr
Springville Gardens
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