A newly formed group of former conservationists, scientists and outdoor enthusiasts have ranked the “ten most impressive” trees of Northern California and unsurprisingly, they are all giant reds.
The list features the spectacular redwoods of NorCal during the launch of the Redwood Coast Parks located in Orick, California.
No private organization has more experience in Redwood Country, Redwood Coast Parks Chief Richard Stenger, a former national park ranger heads the group.
“We are working with scientists, arborists, equestrian experts, representing generations of people who have lived and worked around Redwood National Park.â€
Based on a system that includes visitor feedback, visual beauty and scientific value, the RCP team ranks the top ten trees in Redwood National and State Parks. Here are the 10 most spectacular trees in NorCal:
This monster, one of the largest trees in the world, with more than 200 trunks and fruits, welcomes the cover and the middle of eight pages of National Geographic in its feature on the great trees of Redwood National & State Parks.
Named for the Supreme Creator in JRR Tolkien’s Middle Earth, it resides in Atlas Grove in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
Photo by Mark Graham/VeryLargeAndTallRedwoods.com
Once the tallest tree known, this retired champion in Redwood National Park may reclaim the crown one day.
It is the second oldest redwood on record.
The tree has many tall trees in Tall Trees Grove, a beautiful forest along Redwood Creek near Orick.
Like the Nugget, there are many neighbors among the ten tallest trees in the world.
Some think it’s a cathedral tree with a fairy ring gone wild.
Others suspect that several coastal redwoods grow around a central tree that later dies and decays.
4. Klamath Tour Thru Tree
Photo courtesy of RedwoodCoastParks.com
Photo courtesy of RedwoodCoastParks.com
The world’s only surviving drive through the trees, along Highway 101 on Northern California’s Redwood Coast.
It stands on a small private hill surrounded by Redwood National Park and Yurok tribal lands.
5. Stout Tree
Photo by Redwood National and State Parks
The largest redwood in Stout Grove, a forest at the confluence of two rivers in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park south of Crescent City, this majestic giant has distinctive bark and a wooden viewing platform to protect its roots. and provide wheelchair access.
6. A big tree
Photo courtesy of Richard Stenger/RedwoodCoastParks.com
This old growth giant in Redwood National & State Parks lives up to its name, with a circumference of 68 feet.
Estimated to be 1,500 years old, the tree is located off the Newton Drury Scenic Parkway near the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Visitor Center.
7. Sir Isaac Newton Tree
A former National Forest of America champion and one of the largest recorded redwoods, it is located in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
Unsurprisingly Burl makes a stop on the Prairie Creek trail.
Photo courtesy of Joe Yogerst/RedwoodCoastParks.com
Redwood Creek Buckarettes lead horseback riding from Orick into the dense old growth forest of Redwood National Park, including this unusual tree with a large natural hole, the so-called goose pen.
9. The Source of the Young Tree
It is located in Lady Bird Johnson Grove, named for the first lady who pioneered forest conservation, which offers a nice hike on a flat mountain loop.
Photo courtesy of Mario Vaden/RedwoodCoastParks.com
Photo courtesy of Mario Vaden/RedwoodCoastParks.com
The tallest of the three million trees on the planet, Hyperion lords over Redwood National Park from a hidden peak near Redwood Creek.
The Internet tantalizes with location pointers, but park rangers are privy to discouraging foot traffic.