Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve
Encyclopedia
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve is a state park
of California
, USA, preserving 805 acres (325.8 ha) of Coast redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens). The reserve is located in Sonoma County
just north of Guerneville, California.
Coast redwoods are classified as temperate rain forests and they need wet and mild climates to survive. The rainfall in Armstrong Redwoods averages 55 inches (1.4 m) per year, almost all from September through June and predominantly in winter. Additionally the trees are often shrouded in fog
, particularly from June through September, which is otherwise a dry season with little or no rain. This fog helps to maintain the moist conditions needed for the redwoods to survive during the summer.
The Colonel Armstrong Tree is the oldest tree in the grove, estimated to be over 1400 years old. It is named after a lumberman who chose to preserve this portion of the park in the 1870s. It is a 0.5 miles (804.7 m) walk from the park entrance
The Icicle Tree shows the unusual burl
formations often found on redwood trees. Burls can weigh many tons and grow hundreds of feet above the forest floor. Why these growths occur remains a mystery.
facilities. Although no camping is available in the redwood grove, there is a campground at Austin Creek State Recreation Area
, which is adjacent to the park. Austin Creek is accessed through the same entrance as Armstrong Redwoods and its rolling hills, open grassland
s, conifers, and oak
s are a contrast to the dense canopy of the redwood grove.
The Discovery Trail offers a wheelchair
accessible pathway, interpretive panels in Braille
, and tree hugging platforms. The Armstrong Nature Trail is an easy stroll through the grove and is also wheelchair accessible. Guides are available at the visitor center.
The East Ridge Trail and the Pool Ridge Trail are open to equestrians, although there are seasonal closures due to poor trail conditions in some winter months. Horse rentals are available though a private company that is adjacent to Armstrong Redwoods.
by Colonel James Armstrong. After his death, Armstrong's daughter and the Le Baron family mounted an energetic campaign involving public meetings, rallies, and car-caravans to direct public attention to the need to preserve this last remnant of the once mighty redwood forest. Their efforts were successful, and in 1917 the County of Sonoma passed an initiative to purchase the property for $80,000.
The grove was operated by Sonoma County until 1934, when the state of California took over. In 1936 the grove was opened to the public as Armstrong Redwoods State Park. The grove's status was changed to a natural reserve in 1964 when a greater understanding of its ecological significance prompted a more protective management of the resource.
Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve was one of 48 California state parks proposed for closure in January 2008 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
as part of a deficit reduction program. By May 2008 a temporary reprieve was granted, but the park's future is still uncertain for the long-term.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, USA, preserving 805 acres (325.8 ha) of Coast redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens). The reserve is located in Sonoma County
Sonoma County, California
Sonoma County, located on the northern coast of the U.S. state of California, is the largest and northernmost of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties. Its population at the 2010 census was 483,878. Its largest city and county seat is Santa Rosa....
just north of Guerneville, California.
Coast redwoods are classified as temperate rain forests and they need wet and mild climates to survive. The rainfall in Armstrong Redwoods averages 55 inches (1.4 m) per year, almost all from September through June and predominantly in winter. Additionally the trees are often shrouded in fog
Fog
Fog is a collection of water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air at or near the Earth's surface. While fog is a type of stratus cloud, the term "fog" is typically distinguished from the more generic term "cloud" in that fog is low-lying, and the moisture in the fog is often generated...
, particularly from June through September, which is otherwise a dry season with little or no rain. This fog helps to maintain the moist conditions needed for the redwoods to survive during the summer.
Notable trees
The Parson Jones Tree is the tallest tree in the grove, measuring more than 310 feet (94.5 m) in height. This is longer than the length of a football field. It is a 0.1 miles (160.9 m) walk from the park entrance.The Colonel Armstrong Tree is the oldest tree in the grove, estimated to be over 1400 years old. It is named after a lumberman who chose to preserve this portion of the park in the 1870s. It is a 0.5 miles (804.7 m) walk from the park entrance
The Icicle Tree shows the unusual burl
Burl
A burl or bur or burr is a tree growth in which the grain has grown in a deformed manner. It is commonly found in the form of a rounded outgrowth on a tree trunk or branch that is filled with small knots from dormant buds.A burl results from a tree undergoing some form of stress. It may be caused...
formations often found on redwood trees. Burls can weigh many tons and grow hundreds of feet above the forest floor. Why these growths occur remains a mystery.
Recreation
The reserve includes a visitor center, outdoor amphitheater, self-guided nature trails, and a variety of picnicPicnic
In contemporary usage, a picnic can be defined simply as a pleasure excursion at which a meal is eaten outdoors , ideally taking place in a beautiful landscape such as a park, beside a lake or with an interesting view and possibly at a public event such as before an open air theatre performance,...
facilities. Although no camping is available in the redwood grove, there is a campground at Austin Creek State Recreation Area
Austin Creek State Recreation Area
Austin Creek State Recreation Area is a state park unit of California, USA, encompassing an isolated wilderness area. It is located in Sonoma County, California, adjacent to Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, with which it shares a common entrance. Its rugged topography includes ravines,...
, which is adjacent to the park. Austin Creek is accessed through the same entrance as Armstrong Redwoods and its rolling hills, open grassland
Grassland
Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...
s, conifers, and oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
s are a contrast to the dense canopy of the redwood grove.
The Discovery Trail offers a wheelchair
Wheelchair
A wheelchair is a chair with wheels, designed to be a replacement for walking. The device comes in variations where it is propelled by motors or by the seated occupant turning the rear wheels by hand. Often there are handles behind the seat for someone else to do the pushing...
accessible pathway, interpretive panels in Braille
Braille
The Braille system is a method that is widely used by blind people to read and write, and was the first digital form of writing.Braille was devised in 1825 by Louis Braille, a blind Frenchman. Each Braille character, or cell, is made up of six dot positions, arranged in a rectangle containing two...
, and tree hugging platforms. The Armstrong Nature Trail is an easy stroll through the grove and is also wheelchair accessible. Guides are available at the visitor center.
The East Ridge Trail and the Pool Ridge Trail are open to equestrians, although there are seasonal closures due to poor trail conditions in some winter months. Horse rentals are available though a private company that is adjacent to Armstrong Redwoods.
Park history
During the 1870s the area was set aside as a natural park and botanical gardenBotanical garden
A botanical garden The terms botanic and botanical, and garden or gardens are used more-or-less interchangeably, although the word botanic is generally reserved for the earlier, more traditional gardens. is a well-tended area displaying a wide range of plants labelled with their botanical names...
by Colonel James Armstrong. After his death, Armstrong's daughter and the Le Baron family mounted an energetic campaign involving public meetings, rallies, and car-caravans to direct public attention to the need to preserve this last remnant of the once mighty redwood forest. Their efforts were successful, and in 1917 the County of Sonoma passed an initiative to purchase the property for $80,000.
The grove was operated by Sonoma County until 1934, when the state of California took over. In 1936 the grove was opened to the public as Armstrong Redwoods State Park. The grove's status was changed to a natural reserve in 1964 when a greater understanding of its ecological significance prompted a more protective management of the resource.
Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve was one of 48 California state parks proposed for closure in January 2008 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
as part of a deficit reduction program. By May 2008 a temporary reprieve was granted, but the park's future is still uncertain for the long-term.