MUIR WOODS NATIONAL MONUMENT

Description

Essentials about the Muir Woods National Monument in brief

For tree and nature lovers, a visit to Muir Woods National Monument is definitely a must when visiting San Francisco. Located only about 15 kilometers north of the city, the nature reserve is home to the tallest trees on earth. The giant trees of the coastal sequoia, which are native here, can grow up to 115 meters high.

The history and location of the Muir Woods National Monument

The preserve was established in 1908 by U.S. President Roosevelt after Congressman William Kent and his wife Elizabeth purchased 120 acres of land from private funds and donated it to the federal government for a specific purpose. At the founder’s request, it was named for naturalist and conservationist John Muir.

Located along a small creek on the slopes of Mount Tamalpais, Muir Woods National Monument is a popular recreational area for residents of the San Francisco metropolitan area. It was expanded in the 1960s to its current size of 2.2 square miles.

The coastal sequoia trees and other flora

The main attraction of Muir Woods National Monument are the aforementioned coastal sequoia. The tallest specimens growing in the National Monument, at about 79 meters high, are not quite as tall as the world record holders in other areas. But they are still 500 to 800 years old on average; the oldest specimen in the National Monument is said to be over 1,100 years old.

The coastal sequoia trees don’t let in much light, which is why flora adapted to the lack of light thrives in the shade of the giant trees on the forest floor. The California laurel, for example, can tilt its crown toward the light due to its strong root system, and the Oregon maple tries to make the best use of the scarce light by forming the largest leaves of all maple species.