[REBIRTH & RESILIENCE]
Old-growth redwood forests are remarkably resilient ecosystems, uniquely adapted to survive and even thrive after fire. Fire acts as a natural force of renewal, sparking a dynamic cycle of regrowth and ecological recovery. Even heavily burnt trees respond individually by sprouting epicormic shoots from dormant buds beneath the bark, allowing them to quickly regrow foliage. Basal sprouting from the base of the tree further supports regrowth and resilience. Nutrients are released back into the soil, enhancing fertility and supporting regeneration.Images from the Santa Cruz Mountains Bioregional Council (SMBC.org).