Richard Preston: Climbing the world's biggest trees

The Majesty of Coast Redwoods

Overview of Coast Redwood Trees

• The north coast of California is home to temperate rainforests, where annual rainfall exceeds 100 inches, creating an ideal habitat for the Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens).

• Sequoia sempervirens holds the title of the tallest living organism on Earth, reaching heights up to 380 feet, equivalent to a 38-story building.

Age and Longevity of Coast Redwoods

• The exact age of the oldest living Coast Redwoods remains unknown due to their hollow centers and lack of drilling for growth rings; estimates suggest they may be around 2,500 years old.

• Historically, about 96% of the original Redwood forest has been logged, particularly during intense clear-cutting from the 1970s to early 1990s; only about 4% remains intact and protected in parks like Redwood National Park.

Exploration and Discovery in Redwood Forests

• Despite being protected, many fragments of Redwood rainforests are still under-explored due to their dense nature; new individual trees continue to be discovered.

• In summer 2006, Hyperion was identified as the world's tallest tree within these forests.

Understanding Redwood Growth and Time

• The concept of "Redwood time" is introduced: a slower pace compared to human time. Redwoods grow continuously over thousands of years despite appearing motionless.

• Observing a Redwood's base offers limited insight into its vast structure; most of its mass exists overhead, unseen by observers at ground level.

Adventures in Climbing and Exploring Canopies

• Steve Sillett and Marie Antoine are highlighted as key explorers who discovered that the canopy is not barren but teeming with life—a "lost world."

• Their initial climb revealed unexpected biodiversity rather than a desolate environment previously thought to exist above ground level.

Personal Experiences with Tree Climbing

• The speaker shares personal experiences climbing trees with his children using arborist techniques—highlighting children's natural affinity for heights.

Exploring the Redwood Canopy

The Climbing Experience

• The process of climbing a Redwood involves shooting an arrow with a fishing line to ascend into the tree, reminiscent of Spiderman's agility.

• Climbers experience a sense of exposure as they ascend 30 stories up Gaya, one of the oldest Redwoods, feeling like they are scaling a vertical wall.

• Upon entering the canopy, climbers encounter a three-dimensional labyrinth filled with diverse life forms such as ferns and epiphytes, creating an underwater-like experience in the air.

Unique Features of Redwoods

• At the top of Redwoods, platform-like areas exist where limbs can be hundreds of years old; these trees exhibit "huckleberry afros" that provide snacks for climbers.

• Redwoods display fractal growth patterns through reiteration, producing smaller trees from their limbs and creating complex structures like flying buttresses.

Understanding Tree Structures

• A detailed map illustrates how Redwoods develop hierarchically over time into multiple layers of trunks, showcasing their intricate growth patterns.

• The speaker humorously contemplates human biology mimicking Redwood growth by suggesting synthetic chromosomes could allow humans to "reiterate" themselves.

Biological Insights

• Close examination reveals millennial structures within Iluvatar, another ancient Redwood; scientists study these trees extensively to understand their unique biology.

• Flying buttresses in Redwoods serve structural purposes similar to those in cathedrals, enhancing stability and longevity.

Ecological Discoveries

• Research indicates that Redwoods can absorb moisture from the air and utilize nutrients from decaying parts of themselves if needed.

• Canopy soil hosts unnamed organisms like copepods—crustaceans typically found in oceans—raising questions about their presence high above ground.

Complexity Over Time

• Gaya's complexity has developed over centuries; its rotting top has formed intricate ecosystems resembling Japanese gardens over approximately 700 years.

The Impact of Invasive Species on Eastern Hemlock Forests

The Devastation of the Eastern Hemlock Ecosystem

• The Eastern Hemlock forest is considered one of the last remnants of primeval rainforest east of the Mississippi River, with significant rainfall in areas like Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• In recent summers, invasive organisms have devastated these forests, leading to the potential extinction of the Eastern Hemlock species and threatening a complex ecosystem reliant on these trees.

• The loss is not just about individual trees; it represents a broader ecological collapse that has gone largely unreported by national media, highlighting a critical environmental issue.

Lessons from Trees: Human Connection and Time

• Trees can teach us about human existence, emphasizing our fleeting time and the importance of love and connection. Unlike trees, humans possess curiosity and emotional depth.

• Personal reflections reveal how exploring nature with children fosters deeper connections and appreciation for life’s simple joys, such as climbing trees.

Ecosystems Unique to Ancient Trees

Discoveries in Redwood Ecosystems

• Richard Preston discusses unique ecosystems found within ancient redwoods, where certain species may only exist on specific trees or groves.

• During an expedition to climb Hyperion (the tallest tree), an unknown ant species was discovered but remains uncollected due to its elusive nature.

Fragility of Ecosystems