Mother of The Forest and the Redwoods
The unique ecosystem of California.
Mother of the Forest
Learn about redwood trees by exploring the Mother of the Forest named tree captured in 3D after the 2020 CZU Lightning Fire.
Redwood Loop trail - Mother of the ForestCyArk
Mother of the Forest
Likely one of the oldest trees at Big Basin, Mother of the Forest is distinct for how fire has transformed the tree and how it has adapted over time.
Mother Tree by CyArkCyArk
A Living Fossil
"Redwoods are survivors...remnants of a forest from maybe 50 million years ago."
Unique Tree Architecture
"These trees that have been standing for 1,000, maybe 2,000 years."
Peoples Favorite Tree
"The Mother of the Forest is probably one of the most loved trees along the Redwood Loop."
Redwoods and Fire
"Until fire gets through that bark and into the heartwood of the tree, they can resist the effects of fire."
Bounty of the Forest
"Because they're so tall...they capture moisture that then falls as rain during the dry summers of California."
Complexity Brings Diversity
The first known marbled murrelet nest in Big Basin was discovered near Mother of the Forest and the area became a prominent space for nesting.
Future of Mother of the Forest
"Mother of the Forest will come back quicker than some of the other trees."