| The Advocate Tree | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
 Interpretive Stops
1. Along Aptos Creek Additional Information
|
One of the Largest Old-Growth Redwoods in the Park.The "Advocate Tree" is one of the largest redwoods in the park. It was named by the District Superintendent of State Parks in honor of the Advocates of Nisene Marks State Park, a group of citizens concerned with the conservation and protection of the park's natural and cultural history.The Advocate Tree is 39 feet in circumference and 253 feet tall, and its large goosepen is appoximately 18 feet in height. Estimates of its age place it over 1,000 years. "Advocate Tree" Spared During the Logging EraNo one knows for certain why the Advocate Tree remains standing while other old-growths in the area were cut. However, modern-day foresters have suggested several reasons. One possibility may have been the tree's defects. The "Advocate Tree" has both a large goosepen and a slight lean. Since loggers would have had to climb above the goosepen in order to gain more control in cutting, the Advocate Tree was probably not worth the effort. Also, because of its lean, the wood grain is probably irregular. While the Advocate Tree's goosepen and slight lean would not be problems for today's loggers, lumberjacks back then had their pick of superior, straight-grained trees, which were easier to cut. Also, as one forester suggested, the Advocate Tree might have been left as a "heritage tree." Occasionally, loggers left trees unharmed because they were considered beautiful. They felt that leaving some uncut trees was important. For whatever the reason the Advocate Tree was spared, we are lucky that it and some of the other old-growth redwoods in Marcel's Forest are still here to enjoy. Some of Marcel's Largest Trees Grow Near the CreekOld-growth redwoods can absorb as much as 500 gallons of water per day, receiving anywhere from 25 to 50 percent of their water from fog. Here in the southern range of redwood forests (forests south of San Francisco), where average annual rainfall is low and summers are long and dry, it isn't surprising to see our largest old-growth redwoods either growing near the creek, like the Advocate Tree, or in a ravine with a seasonal water source, like Magnificent Old Growth. In fact, in Marcel's Forest, water availability may have influenced tree size. Take a look at the measurements of the old-growths on the trail map detail. The heights and circumferences of the measured trees decrease the farther away from the creek that the trees grow.
|
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Back to 
