Resilient California redwoods defy wildfire devastation with ancient rebirth

After a devastating wildfire in California's Big Basin Redwood State Park, researchers discovered that the iconic redwood trees were able to sprout new growth by tapping into ancient carbon reserves and bud tissues that formed centuries ago. By analyzing the sprouts, scientists found that the trees used carbon reserves that were 50 to 100 years old, making it the oldest observation of carbon reserves being used for growth. This resilience to wildfires suggests that redwood trees are more adaptable than previously thought, and studying how trees store carbon over time could provide insights into their role as carbon sinks.