BETA
Chapter 1
Rise of the ancient redwood family
Chapter 2
The physics of drinking from the sky
Chapter 3
Shields of armor and underground networks
Chapter 4
The secret world of the canopy
YOUR GOAL
Master of How redwoods became giants
Ch 3 · Shields of armor and underground networks
misslily Connect underground roots and build bark armor to discover how redwoods survive fire and wind.
misslily Redwood Giants Thrive
Redwood's secret to the sky, hear it now! Thick bark shield and roots that intertwine, wow-oh-wow!
misslily Redwood roots are surprisingly shallow but interlock with neighbors to prevent falling.
misslily Natural chemical compounds protect redwoods from rot, fungi, and hungry insects.
Fun Fact
Burl power: The lumpy growths on redwood trunks contain thousands of dormant buds that can sprout new clone trees if damaged.
Glossary
mycorrhizae (noun)
Symbiotic associations between beneficial soil fungi and the roots of vascular plants. In California's coastal forests, these fungal networks link redwood roots to distribute water and vital nutrients.
Symbiotic associations between beneficial soil fungi and the roots of vascular plants. In California's coastal forests, these fungal networks link redwood roots to distribute water and vital nutrients.
Quiz
What acidic chemical compound gives redwoods their color and protects them from rot?
Quiz
What temperature in Fahrenheit can the thick bark of a redwood insulate the tree against?
Quiz
What type of organism forms underground networks with redwood roots to share nutrients?