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Redwood Forests
Lakes and Ponds
ECOSYSTEMS > INLAND OREGON > FORESTS

Southern Oregon marks the northernmost boundary of the coastal redwood forests which are dominated by the coast redwood tree. Here, stands of the massive coast redwoods are scattered, often overlapping with other tree species. The greatest expanse of redwood forest actually exists in California, where the largest individuals may be thousands (that’s right — thousands!) of years old.

​These trees grow so large that the redwood forests of California and the Pacific Northwest have the greatest amount of biomass on Earth! A typical redwood won’t even reach the forest canopy until it’s about 200 years old.
Although considered a coastal species, redwoods don’t tolerate the salt spray coming off the Pacific Ocean and therefore won’t be found on headlands or other exposed areas. Instead, they grow slightly inland, often behind a protective barrier of Douglas-fir and Sitka spruce. The most dense redwood forests grow on rich alluvial soils. In these areas, trees may grow so thick they prevent other species from taking root. Likewise, the thick canopy casts a perpetual shade, limiting the understory to a few plant species tolerant of low light. Such plants may include Pacific rhododendron, evergreen huckleberry, western sword fern, redwood sorrel and fairy bells.

Where Can I See a Redwood Forest in Oregon?

Alfred A. Loeb State Park, Brookings
​GPS Coordinates: 42.1127554, -124.1899177
Redwood Nature Trail #111, Brookings
​GPS Coordinates: 42.0635358, -124.2417677

Representative Species for Redwood Forests in Oregon:

Bald eagle
Douglas-fir
Roosevelt elk
Black bear
Pacific rhododendron
Sitka spruce
Coast redwood
Peregrine falcon
Western skunk cabbage
Cougar
Raccoon
Western sword fern

​Suggested Activities for These Areas:

Camping
Hiking
Citizen science
Photography and Video
Climate change action
Wildlife spotting
Conservation Projects
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