63-628: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a state park of California , United States, preserving mainly forest and riparian areas in the watershed of the San Lorenzo River , including a grove of old-growth coast redwood. It is located in Santa Cruz County , primarily in the area between the cities of Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley , near the community of Felton and the University of California at Santa Cruz . The park includes
126-526: A land lease from the U.S. government , while Mackinac National Park was handed down to become the first of the Michigan state parks . As with national parks, facilities at state parks are often leased to concessionaires to operate. Breaks Interstate Park is operated under an interstate compact by Virginia state parks , although it is also one of the Kentucky state parks , straddling both sides of
189-589: A few exceptions such as Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California, and Wood-Tikchik State Park in Alaska, the largest state park in the United States . In addition to preserving natural landscapes and providing recreational opportunities, many state parks also serve as important educational resources . They often offer guided tours, interpretive programs, and exhibits that help visitors learn about
252-741: A few horse dog-friendly and mountain biking trails, and shopping at the Mountain Parks Nature Store await visitors to this park. Next door to the main parking lot is the Roaring Camp and Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad . There are over 15 miles (24 km) of hiking trails, some of which lead to small, isolated sandy beaches on the San Lorenzo River, and others with overlook views of the Santa Cruz Mountains, with peeks at Monterey Bay. The park has
315-429: A few years later when small populations were found alive in central China. It is a well-known example of a living fossil species. Modern dawn redwood appears identical to its late Cretaceous ancestors. The tree faces considerable risks of extinction in its wild range due to deforestation; however, it has been planted extensively in arboreta worldwide, where it has proved a popular and fast-growing ornamental plant. If
378-466: A girth at breast height of 5.79 m (19.0 ft), average diameter 1.84 m (6.0 ft), and is 30.18 m (99.0 ft) tall. The tallest is 41.15 m (135.0 ft) tall, and has a girth at breast height of 3.35 m (11.0 ft), average diameter 1.07 m (3.5 ft). Both trees were planted in 1948 and measured in 2018. Ecotypic variation has developed in a variety of microhabitats. Three variations have been observed based on
441-568: A good environment for the study of different habitats. Habitats in this park, often changing back and forth within a few hundred feet of one another, include riparian, sandhill community, mixed evergreen, and redwood forests. Anglers fish for steelhead and salmon during the winter. There is a picnic area overlooking the San Lorenzo River. Besides roads, the park may also be reached by the Santa Cruz, Big Trees and Pacific Railway . Tent and RV camping with no hook ups are available several miles from
504-815: A large, crescent-shaped region that encompasses the eastern and southern United States, as well as on the West Coast. Many institutions, such as the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, have fine specimens. The H. H. Hunnewell estate in Wellesley, Massachusetts, has two specimens (numbers 29 and 34) that date to the initial distribution of seed by the Arnold Arboretum in 1949. There is a small grove of dawn redwoods at Bailey Arboretum in Locust Valley, New York, including one tree which
567-399: A more modern visitor center , which is open year-round to the public, and is staffed by California Parks employees and volunteer docents. Additionally, the Mountain Parks Nature Store is open during most park hours, and there is a direct entrance from the park's main parking lot to the grounds of Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad. The Redwood Grove comprises old-growth "virgin" redwoods,
630-702: A non-contiguous extension in the Fall Creek area north of Felton. The 4,623-acre (1,871 ha) park was established in 1953. The main park covers approximately 1,750 acres (7.1 km), and the separate Fall Creek (not to be confused with the Fall Creek farther north in San Mateo County) unit contains an additional 2,390 acres (9.7 km). The park lies within the southern end of the Northern California coastal forests ecoregion. In
693-699: A restaurant) for lodging at some parks. These typically use "Resort" in the name, such as "_____ Resort State Park" in West Virginia state parks and "_____ State Resort Park" in neighboring Kentucky state parks , which has 17 such resort parks, the most of any state. Other states use the Resort name inconsistently (like DeGray Lake Resort State Park , the only one out of three resorts in Arkansas state parks ), or have only one such park ( South Carolina state parks ' Hickory Knob State Resort Park ), or do not use
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#1732780230735756-544: A survey in Sichuan and Hubei provinces. Though unaware of Miki's new genus, he recognized the unique traits of the tree. Unfortunately, while he collected some plant material, he did not attempt to identify or publish his findings. This tree formed part of a local shrine, where villagers called it 水杉 (Shuǐshān or "water fir"). In 1943, Wang Zhan (Chan Wang, 1911–2000) of the National Bureau of Forest Research,
819-535: Is a fast-growing tree, exceeding 35 m (115 ft) in height and 1 m (3.3 ft) in trunk diameter by the age of 50, in cultivation (with the potential to grow to even greater dimensions). The trunk forms a distinctive "armpit" under each branch. The bark is vertically fissured and tends to exfoliate in ribbon-like strips. The largest dawn redwood recorded was an isolated specimen in China about 50 meters (160 feet) tall and 2.2 meters (7.2 feet) wide. This tree
882-411: Is claimed to be the world's largest by diameter. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation has begun planting dawn redwoods on sidewalks throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn , this link maps them. Washington, D.C. 's Urban Forestry Division has planted hundreds throughout that city, including all of the street trees in the 1800 block of Redwood Terrace, NW. A dawn redwood grows outside of
945-854: Is classified in the subfamily Sequoioideae of the family Cupressaceae . Although it is the only living species in its genus, three fossil species are known as well. The other Sequoioideae and several other genera have been transferred from the Taxodiaceae to the Cupressaceae based on DNA analysis . Studies carried out between 2007 and 2009 counted 5,371 trees primarily in Lichuan , Hubei , with much smaller groups in Shizhu , Chongqing and Longshan , Hunan . The floodplain of Metasequoia Valley in Hubei had already been turned to rice paddies by
1008-461: Is established in a specific site, it is vulnerable to drought and inadequate water availability. The dawn redwood is recommended for urban areas in the Midwest, Southeast, and East Coast of North America, as its fast growth rate and tolerance for air pollution make it adaptable and able to thrive where other species might suffer. The species tends to struggle without irrigation in arid climates such as
1071-418: Is insufficient to cushion the many large, sharp rocks on the pool's bottom and, as such, diving is not permitted. Likewise, alcohol, dogs, fires, and glass containers are also prohibited in the area. The northern extension of Henry Cowell State Park, called Fall Creek Unit, contains over 20 miles (30 km) of hiking trails, mostly along the creeks that flow year-round and make beautiful mini waterfalls during
1134-546: Is now a large tree. The TROBI Champions are at Woking Park , Surrey : 22 m height by 144 cm d.b.h , Clare College , Cambridge : 21 m × 129 cm (planted 1949), and Wayford Woods , Somerset : 32 m × 99 cm. Several cultivars are available providing a range of different foliage colours and textures. The cultivar 'Golden Oji' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society 's Award of Garden Merit . Dawn redwoods thrive over
1197-467: Is now widely planted as an ornamental tree . Planted trees have already reached at least up to 1.84 meters (6.0 feet) in diameter at breast height and 41.15 meters (135.0 feet) tall, despite being in cultivation for only 70 years. This rapid rate of growth has led to consideration for using the tree in forestry plantations . It has been discovered that M. glyptostroboides will thrive in standing water, much like bald cypress , and if left branched to
1260-547: The Arnold Arboretum on January 5, 1948, and was shipped to arboreta around the world soon after. By 1951, the species had entered the commercial horticultural trade in the United States, and following media excitement about the new discovery, including in the San Francisco Chronicle of March 25, 1948, sales soon took off. Dawn redwood has proved an easy tree to grow in temperate regions, and
1323-660: The Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales . The equivalent term used in Canada, Argentina, South Africa, and Belgium, is provincial park . Similar systems of local government maintained parks exist in other countries, but the terminology varies. State parks are thus similar to national parks , but under state rather than federal administration. Similarly, local government entities below state level may maintain parks, e.g., regional parks or county parks . In general, state parks are smaller than national parks, with
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#17327802307351386-523: The Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration . Dawn Redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides , the dawn redwood , is a fast-growing, endangered deciduous conifer . It is the sole living species of the genus Metasequoia , one of three genera in the subfamily Sequoioideae of the family Cupressaceae. It now survives in the wild only in wet lower slopes and montane river and stream valleys in
1449-924: The Lushan Botanical Garden within Mount Lu , Jiangxi . The dawn redwood is frequently encountered across the UK. Growth has been fastest in the south-east, but it is believed the tree may have a longer future in the more humid western regions. The first dawn redwood to be planted in the UK was at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden . The seed was not from the Arnold expedition, but came to Cambridge directly. The Botanic Garden's Annual Report for 1949 declares: 'Seeds of Metasequoia glyptostroboides, sent by Dr Silow from China to Professor F T Brooks , germinated freely. Three of
1512-609: The UCLA campus includes a dawn redwood. In North Carolina, a private endeavor is working to create a Metasequoia reserve on 50 acres of uplands in the Sauratown Mountains . Portland, Oregon, is home to some of the oldest dawn redwoods in the U.S. One specimen planted in the Hoyt Arboretum in 1948 was 103' tall at last measurement and in 1952 earned the distinction of being the first dawn redwood to bear cones in
1575-473: The 1990s sought to resolve this problem and restore genetic diversity to cultivated M. glyptostroboides . Pizhou , Jiangsu has the longest dawn redwood avenue in the world. The avenue is approximately 60 km long with over one million trees. The Water Forest in Xinghua, Jiangsu is named after the many dawn redwood trees found there in the park. There is a large collection of dawn redwood in
1638-457: The 2000s counted and measured all wild dawn redwoods. The remaining healthy trees range from 25 cm (9.8 in) to 1.65 m (5.4 ft) wide at breast height, 12–51 m (39–167 ft) in height, and estimated 41–265 years in age. The average size was 27 m (89 ft) tall and 0.45–0.9 m (1.5–3.0 ft) wide at breast height, with an estimated age of about 95 years. (The type tree, 2.48 m (8.1 ft) at breast height,
1701-543: The American West unless planted directly on or adjacent to a body of water such as a pond or stream. This species is also highly susceptible to damage from contact with heavy amounts of winter de-icing salt. In the 1980s, it was discovered that many of the second-generation trees in cultivation suffered from inbreeding depression (extremely low genetic variability), which could lead to increased susceptibility to disease and reproductive failure. Many sources claim that
1764-577: The Fall Creek Unit. During the 1830s and 40s, when California was still part of Mexico , large land grants were created, called "ranchos" . The lands now included in the State Park were once parts of three different ranchos . Rancho Cañada del Rincon en el Rio San Lorenzo , Rancho Zayante and Rancho Carbonera . By 1865, most of the former rancho lands had been subdivided. Industrialist Henry Cowell purchased 6,500 acres (26 km) of
1827-527: The Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park was officially created on August 15, 1954. The separate Fall Creek unit was added later. In February 1973, serial killer Herbert Mullin killed 4 teens who were camping at the state park. In 1981 it became a crime scene again when serial killer David Carpenter shot a hiking couple, killing the female hiker. State park State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at
1890-656: The John C. Fremont tree (a tree hollowed out by fire that was once used as a resort honeymoon room). Next to the park's entrance kiosk, all three known types of redwood trees, the Coast Redwood , the Giant Sequoia , and the Dawn Redwood (the latter two not native to the area) are planted together, providing a unique place to instantly compare and contrast the members of this family of trees. This park provides
1953-589: The Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Chongqing, collected samples from an unidentified tree in the village of Moudao [ zh ] (formerly Motaochi, Maodaoqi or Modaoxi) in Lichuan County , Hubei province—now believed to be the same tree Kan discovered. The samples were determined to belong to a tree yet unknown to science, but World War II postponed further study. Professors Zheng Wanjun (Cheng Wan-Chun) and Hu Xiansu (Hu Hsen-Hsu) made
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2016-560: The Rosicrucian Research Library at Rosicrucian Park in San Jose, California, as a memorial to H. Spencer Lewis . It was planted in 1950 from a seedling from the lot brought from China by Dr. Ralph Chaney , and donated by an unnamed donor to H. Spencer Lewis's widow for this purpose. Additionally in San Jose, a dawn redwood is planted at San Jose State University . The Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden on
2079-645: The United Kingdom; as well as botanic gardens in continental Europe and worldwide. Metasequoia glyptostroboides leaves are opposite, 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) long, and bright fresh green, turning a foxy reddish brown in autumn. The pollen cones are 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long, produced on long spikes in early spring; they are produced only on trees growing in regions with hot summers. The cones are globose to ovoid, 1.5–2.5 cm (0.59–0.98 in) in diameter with 16–28 scales arranged in opposite pairs in four rows, each pair at right angles to
2142-404: The adjacent pair; they mature in about 8–9 months after pollination. While the bark and foliage are similar to another closely related genus of redwoods, Sequoia , M. glyptostroboides differs from the coast redwood in that it is deciduous, like Taxodium distichum (bald cypress). Similar to T. distichum , older trees may form wide buttresses on the lower trunk. M. glyptostroboides
2205-527: The arboretum from the Metasequoia type tree in Moudao, and trees in the nearby Metasequoia Valley (Shuishaba Valley). Hua's collecting trip returned with several kilos of seed that were distributed over the next few months for growth trials to Chinese institutions; the Arnold Arboretum, Missouri Botanic Garden, and elsewhere in the United States; botanic gardens at Kew , Edinburgh, and other locations in
2268-436: The border region of Hubei and Hunan provinces and Chongqing municipality in south-central China , notably in Lichuan county in Hubei. Although the shortest of the redwoods, it can grow to 167 ft (51 m) in height. In 1941, the genus Metasequoia was reported by paleobotanist Shigeru Miki [ jp ] as a widely distributed extinct genus based on fossils, before attracting considerable attention
2331-675: The country's state parks. The NASPD further counts over 43,000 miles (69,000 km) of trail, 217,367 campsites, and 8,277 cabins and lodges across U.S. state parks. The largest state park system in the United States is Alaska State Parks , with over 100 sites encompassing 3.3 million acres. Many states include designations beyond "state park" in their state parks systems. Other designations might be state recreation areas , state beaches, and state nature reserves . Some state park systems include long-distance trails and historic sites . To encourage tourism in rural areas, several states have simple lodges, inns, hotels, or motels (usually with
2394-494: The dawn redwood forest. In addition, the landscape has been highly modified by human use, and a 1980 expedition found that the habitat has significantly degraded since the tree's discovery. Most of the other vegetation has been cut, and most of the area is no longer suitable ground for seedlings. Between 1950 and 1980 several hundred were logged in Metasequoia Valley, some over 2 meters (6.6 feet) wide. A survey in
2457-478: The designation at all (such as the lodges of Georgia state parks ). The term "lodge" may also refer to a hiking lodge , essentially a large cabin for hikers rather than a large facility with private rooms and a restaurant. Other lodging may include yurts and tipis . Not all parks owned by a state are necessarily part of its state-park system, such as Stone Mountain Park near Atlanta. Some Texas state parks are
2520-400: The family Cupressaceae , Dr. Shigeru Miki from Kyoto University identified a divergent leaf form. He realized he had discovered a new genus, which he named Metasequoia , meaning "like a sequoia". In the same year, Kan Duo (Toh Kan, 1903–1961), professor of Forest Management, National Central University, Chongqing , (formerly Chungking) observed an enormous living specimen while performing
2583-646: The former Rancho Cañada del Rincon en el Rio San Lorenzo , including 1,600 acres (6 km) of forest, in 1865, adding to his quarrying and lime operations in the vicinity. A significant number of buildings in San Francisco were built using the redwood and limestone products from this area. In the 1920s the owners of a large resort adjacent to Henry Cowell's holdings raised support for the County of Santa Cruz to buy and preserve their pristine redwood lands, an action finally approved of, in large part thanks to
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2646-409: The ground in full sun, will develop the large, contorted boles that have made bald cypress famous. Limbing or pruning at an early age will prohibit this formation later on. In cultivation, M. glyptostroboides is hardy to USDA Zone 5 , making it hardy down to lows of −25 °F (−32 °C). It is tolerant of soggy, waterlogged soils; in the wild it is adapted to growing on flood plains. Until it
2709-493: The local flora , fauna , geology , and cultural history of the area. These programs are designed not only to enhance the visitor experience but also to promote conservation awareness and encourage responsible enjoyment of natural resources. There are 6,792 state park units in the United States, according to the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD). There are some 813 million annual visits to
2772-468: The main entrance to the park. The Garden of Eden is a popular swimming hole in the San Lorenzo River within Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. It is accessible via Ox Fire Road off Highway 9 and has a parking area located 0.75 miles south of the park's main entrance. This route requires approximately 1.5 miles of hiking, roundtrip, with an elevation change of 200 feet. The water depth at the Garden of Eden
2835-462: The mid-to-late 1800s for lumber and as fuel for the many lime kilns that used to operate in the area, such as the ones preserved at nearby Cowell Lime Works . Logging activities mostly ceased by the 1920s, and the second growth redwoods are now up to several feet in diameter. Both portions of the park have much to offer vacationing families or nature enthusiasts. Hiking, fishing (depending on season), seasonal camping (including RV), birdwatching, and
2898-416: The numerous stream canyons live large populations of coast redwood , coast Douglas fir , California bay laurel , tanbark oak , California hazelnut , bigleaf maple and many other native species. Up-slope from the redwood forest are found transitional tree species such as Pacific madrone , along with a stand of Ponderosa pine , rare at such a low elevation. Some of the highest and driest ridge slopes in
2961-478: The oldest trees of which are approximately 1,400–1,800 years old and grow to approximately 300 feet (91 m) tall and over 16 feet (4.9 m) in diameter. Referred to by locals as "the loop," the grove is primarily a self-guided walk—but on most summer weekends, and many other times year-round, free guided walks led by docents or park employees are available. Featured on the loop are unique old-growth redwoods, including one with albino growth lignotubers and
3024-400: The original 1947 seedlots came from as few as one tree; however, this has proven to be false. The original seeds did have a wide range of source trees, and the inbreeding depression is more likely to come from self-pollination by isolated trees. However, the total cultivated population still had less genetic variation than the wild ones, and more widespread seed-collecting expeditions in China in
3087-409: The original settlement of the valley. Since its discovery, the dawn redwood has become something of a national point of pride, and it is protected under Chinese law and also planted widely. However, it is still listed as endangered in the wild. Cutting of trees or branches is illegal, but the demand for seedlings drives cone collection to the point that natural reproduction is no longer occurring in
3150-451: The park support fairly unusual chaparral communities known as " elfin forests " in addition to the rare and unique Santa Cruz Sandhills community. The old-growth grove of coast redwood, approximately 40 acres (16 ha) in size, is located entirely in the original section of the park, surrounded by many species of fern and plentiful redwood sorrel . Surrounding areas, including the non-contiguous Fall Creek unit, were logged extensively in
3213-458: The pivotal connection between Miki's fossil genus and the living samples in 1946, and provided the specific epithet " glyptostroboides ", after its resemblance to the Chinese swamp cypress ( Glyptostrobus ). In July 1947, the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University provided $ 250 to fund an expedition by Zheng Wanjun's assistant Hua Jingchan (Ching-Shan Hwa 1921–present) to collect seeds for
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#17327802307353276-640: The rainy season (November–March). There is also an 18-hole Disc Golf course, Black Mouse, run by a local school (Nature Academy). Along Fall Creek are the ruins of a 19th-century lime manufacturing operation, including a quarry and lime kilns built by I.X.L. Lime Company (established in 1874). The lime works were later acquired by industrialist Henry Cowell. The Fall Creek in Santa Cruz County originates near Empire Grade Road, and flows 4–5 miles South and South-East before it meets San Lorenzo River, east of Highway 9. Dogs and bicycles are not allowed in
3339-752: The seedlings have been planted out: one in the Yard at the back of the Range and two beside the Pond (now called the Lake).' The tree on the south-west side of the Lake is still living, as at July 2019. Seed distributed in the 1940s to Hillier Gardens near Winchester, UK, have thrived and are now the emblem of the gardens. A sapling planted in Stratford Park , Stroud in 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
3402-437: The size of their cones, large, medium, and small. The large cone type is found growing on mountain slopes, develops a broad canopy, seeds more readily and is more drought tolerant. The small cone type is found near stream banks, is more sensitive to drought, and develops a more uniform trunk. Together with Sequoia sempervirens (coast redwood) and Sequoiadendron giganteum (giant sequoia) of California, M. glyptostroboides
3465-450: The species had not been discovered when it was, it might have become extinct before being investigated. Although it was commonly known from the fossil record from across the northern hemisphere, the dawn redwood was considered extinct until the mid-twentieth century. When the genus Metasequoia was first described in 1941, it was from Mesozoic Era fossils, none of which were less than 150 million years old. While studying fossil samples of
3528-474: The state line. Other multi-state parks are legally two separate parks with the same name and more informal cooperation between them. The title of oldest state park in the United States is claimed by Niagara Falls State Park in New York , established in 1885. Several public parks previously or currently maintained at the state level pre-date it. Indian Springs State Park has been operated continuously by
3591-454: The state of Georgia as a public park since 1825, although it did not gain the title "State Park" until 1931. In 1864 Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove were ceded by the federal government to California until Yosemite National Park was proclaimed in 1890. In 1878 Wisconsin set aside a vast swath of its northern forests as "The State Park" but, needing money, sold most of it to lumber companies within 20 years. Mackinac National Park
3654-506: The sub-national level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational potential. There are state parks under the administration of the government of each U.S. state , some of the Mexican states , and in Brazil . The term is also used in
3717-456: The time of the tree's discovery, but was once probably a more extensive dawn redwood forest. Such a forest would have been similar to bald cypress forests in the United States, with many similar species growing in association. Nearly 3,000 trunks were found in the floor of the valley, ranging from 2 to 8 meters (6.6 to 26.2 feet) wide at the base. Additionally, houses made of Metasequoia wood 200–300 years old still exist and probably date back to
3780-610: The work of California Lieutenant Governor , the Hon. William Jeter , in 1930. Eventually philanthropist Samuel Cowell, aged 90, last of the Cowell line, (and endower for Cowell Hall at the University of San Francisco ), donated the rest of what became the Park to the State, but only under the condition that Santa Cruz County also give up its nearby portion of the land ( Big Trees Park ) to the State so that it could all be managed together. Thus,
3843-473: Was established in 1875 as the second U.S. national park before being converted to a state park in 1895. The first state park with the designation of "state park" was Itasca State Park in Minnesota , established in 1891. Many state park systems date to the 1930s, when around 800 state parks (and several national ones) across the country were developed with assistance from federal job-creation programs like
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#17327802307353906-484: Was in poor health and therefore excluded from the study) No seedlings were found, and if they ever do appear it is legal to remove and transplant them. The species will continue to live in yards, parks and on roadsides all over China, but the M. glyptostroboides forest ecosystem could disappear when its mature trees die. Since the tree's rediscovery, the dawn redwood has become a popular ornamental tree in parks and gardens worldwide. Dawn redwood seed arrived at
3969-473: Was killed by a lightning strike in 1951. Several dawn redwoods of this height still live in the eastern part of Metasequoia Valley, where the tree was discovered. The tree's true potential size is much larger, as logs up to 8 meters (26 feet) wide at the base have been discovered in rice paddies. The thickest and tallest dawn redwoods listed by Monumental Trees are both at Longwood Gardens , outside Kennett Square , Pennsylvania, United States. The widest has
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